Masters invite for Sharma great news

What a story we have on the eve of our biggest golfing event. Just as we get ready to tee off for the Hero Indian Open, the news of Shubhankar Sharma getting a special invitation to the Masters is a massive boost for Indian golf. I know it is the dream for every kid playing golf to play the Masters one day. He is just 21, so this is like living a dream.

The way he has played over the last three odd months, I think he deserves it. I said it at that time, and I will say it again, that the final-round 62 at the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur was probably one of the greatest rounds played in recent times. Before that, he had a 61 while winning in Joburg.

He is a level-headed young man who has shown maturity beyond his years. The clarity in his mind as well as his golfing skills are excellent. To think he is just 21 and will keep getting better makes him an even greater prospect that he is right now. He has shown us last week in Mexico that he has the game to go out there and play with the best.

So I feel that despite it being his first Major, he could well contend for the Green Jacket. The tournament and Augusta National are something every golfer has watched countless times while growing up. So, I am sure Shubhankar has done it, too.

As for myself, I am coming to the Hero Indian Open with new energy. There was a huge sense of relief last year. I got a couple of monkeys off my back. First was not winning since my first title ages ago in 2005. That was taken care of when I won in Taiwan and then in Delhi and again in Thailand the end of the year.

The other monkey I got rid of was winning at my home course, the Delhi Golf Club. Now, I have one more left and I will be rid of that if I win the Indian Open.

Time and again I have said, this is the ‘fifth’ Major for us and I reiterate that.

I was the top amateur in 2002 and it would be great to get that amazing trophy on Sunday with all those great names on it.