Mexico City, Mexico, 05-03-2018
Shubhankar Sharma posts creditable tied ninth at WGC – Mexico Championship; 21-year-old climbs nine places to 66 in world ranking after top-10 finish at first PGA Tour and WGC appearance
Twenty-one-year-old Indian sensation Shubhankar Sharma, playing his first PGA Tour and WGC event at the US$ 10 million WGC – Mexico Championship in Mexico City, posted a creditable tied ninth finish.
With his top-10 finish at the event that featured an elite field of 64 and the who’s who of international golf, the European Tour and Asian Tour Order of Merit leader has now moved up from 75 to 66 in the world rankings.
Shubhankar (65-66-69-74), a two-time European Tour winner, became the talk of the golfing world after emerging as the solo leader after 36 and 54 holes.
Sharma led by two shots going into the final round with the chasing pack consisting of the world’s best such as Major winners Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas.
At the start of round four, the Chandigarh lad was on the cusp of creating history as he looked to conquer uncharted territory by achieving the biggest win by an Indian golfer in terms of prize money earned (US$ 1,660,000), stature of the event (only second to the Majors) and world ranking points earned.
However, as the putts didn’t roll in for him on the final day, Shubhankar posted a three-over-74 to end the week in tied ninth with a total score of 10-under-274. He made four bogeys on the last six holes.
American star Phil Mickelson (66), playing alongside Shubhankar in the leader group, went on to win the tournament after defeating compatriot Justin Thomas (64) in a playoff. Mickelson and Thomas were tied at the top with totals of 16-under-268 after the regulation 72 holes.
Sharma, the youngest player in the field in Mexico, said, “A little bit disappointed, I was leading and I think I couldn't finish it off. But that's what the game is about. What I learnt, especially playing with Phil, I'll cherish it forever.
“If you would have asked me four months ago that I would be playing with Phil at a WGC event on the last day, I would have just laughed.
“Just playing with him has been fantastic. He's obviously a great man, showed me a few great shots. He's not afraid to go out there and get it out there and hit it at the pin, and he took some crazy clubs off the tee but that's what Phil is all about. I'll never forget it. Especially on 16 where he made birdie, it was the loudest roar I have ever heard in my life. It was fantastic.”
Shubhankar now returns home to India for this week’s Indian Open, a tournament co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
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