India’s Shubhankar Sharma produced the best-ever result by an Indian at golf’s oldest Major, the Open Championships, as he finished tied-eighth on Sunday. Sharma, playing his third Open, was the only player on the final day logging a bogey-free round of 1-under 70 for a total of 5-under 279. He finished Tied-eighth, earning a recall to the Open in 2024 also. Sharma’s result was also the second best by an Indian in any Major behind the T-5 by Anirban Lahiri at the 2015 PGA Championships. Jeev Milkha Singh was also T-9 at the 2008 PGA Championships. The previous best by an Indian at an Open was T-27 by Jyoti Randhawa in 2004 at Royal Troon, where the Open returns next year.
Shubhankar Sharma, playing his third Open, was the only player on the final day logging a bogey-free round of 1-under 70 for a total of 5-under 279.
Sharma called his play during the week and the final round in particular as “the best I have played in such conditions. “Right now I am just thrilled with the week’s result. It is something I have always believed in. I just want to play my best golf. Jeev, Jyoti and Anirban are all great players. To be mentioned along with them is an honour by itself.
He started the wet and soggy final day at Royal Liverpool Golf Club with a five-shot lead and finish six ahead of a foursome — Tom Kim (67), Sepp Straka (69) , Jason Day (69) and Jon Rahm (70), who were all tied at 7-under 277.
“Without doubt it was the best I have played and on such a challenging course,” he said. “The Open is always around my birthday so it is always a double celebration,” he had said earlier. He had kept the celebrations on hold this week, but said with friends and family here, it will all be held next week. The last few weeks I played good golf, but things did not come together and this week, right from the start I had a good feeling,” said Sharma, who was greeted by his family including father ML Sharma, mother Neena, sister Vandini and coach Jesse Grewal, as he finished. Talking of records, Sharma said, “I am not playing for records.
