Golf: Shubhankar re-writes record books, youngest Indian to win on European Tour

Shubhankar Sharma completed a commanding threeshot win in a Monday finish at the Joburg Open which was earlier suspended on Sunday The 21yearold shot 69 in the final round and rewrote a bunch of records enroute to 23under 264 with rounds of 69 61 65 and 69 South Africas Erik Van Rooyen 66 was second at 20under while Shaun Norris 65 and Finn Tapio Pulkkanen 68 were Tied3rd in the event cosanctioned by European Asian and Sunshine Tours The win in only his 10th European Tour start made Shubhankar the youngest Indian to win on the European Tour the first Indian to win in South Africa and it was also his maiden win on any international Tour outside India Shubhankar also assured himself a start in his first Major at the British Open at Carnoustie in July 2018Shubhankar SharmaShubhankar who was encouraged to turn pro before his 17th birdthday by his father Col ML Sharma the biggest influence in his career also has five wins on the Indian PGTI Tour Playing bogeyfree over his last 55 holes Sharma also rose to second on the Race to Dubai standings following his T10 finish at Hong Kong and T27 in Mauritius He also shot up to sixth on Asian Tour Order of Merit Soon after his Joburg win he was on a flight to Jakarta for the seasonending Indonesia Masters on Asian Tour beginning Thursday It feels absolutely wonderful to have won this week said Sharma who was the lone Indian in the field of 240 who played the first two rounds on different courses Firethorn and Bushwillow with final two rounds at FirethornI actually wasnt going to come here about a week ago and I decided to come so Im really happy that I came This is my first time in South Africa and I dont think Im ever going forget my first time in South Africa said Sharma Sharma added The only thing I was telling myself was to stay aggressive I never wanted to be defensive Even when I was leading I never thought of defending my lead I actually set a target of 25under and I only shot a 23under laughs After yesterdays rain delay I was walking back to the clubhouse and I saw Erik van Rooyen had just hit it to two feet so that was a birdie and it would narrow the gap to three shots In golf three shots is nothing Weve seen people drop shots I just imagined that there was an invisible guy playing in my group and he was on 25under I was just trying to catch that invisible guy I didnt quite catch him but Im happy that I wonSharma who met Els for the first time as an 11yearold when the latter came to India for the 2008 EmaarMGF Masters still carries the card given to him by the legend I would love to play in the South African Open and meet Ernie Els I met him again in Macao two years back He is such a wonderful guy not only in South Africa but in world golf Talking of Sunday night Sharma said There were a lot of nerves I got up like four times I couldnt sleep because it was raining so hard and I kept getting up You have nothing to lose if you are chasing someone It is very tough to maintain your lead There were a few nervy moments but Im glad I pulled through He added Playing in The Open is everyones dream Personally it is my favourite Major championship Ive watched it every year on television and to be playing in it next year is absolutely fantasticSharmas father Col ML Sharma who advised the youngster to turn pro early recalled I felt he was ready for pro golf and he had the game for it I felt he had nothing more to gain from amateur golf and he showed with a lot of good results early on Sharmas 10under and 7under cards on second and third days gave him a solid fiveshot lead coming into the final round He was still four clear when play was halted due to storms on Sunday afternoon On Monday he showed no signs of nervousness or a break in momentum He parred the eighth and birdied the ninth to get to 23under while South African Van Rooyen turned in 5under 31 to move from 14under to 19under and was now four behind after starting the day six behind Showing no pressure Sharma made pars on all nine holes on the back stretch Van Rooyen managed only one more birdie on the back nine and finished 20under but three behind Sharma Marcus Armitage 70 of England was fifth while James Morrison 73 and Joachim Hansen 70 were Tied sixth at 13underCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go