Shubhankar wins Joburg Open, gets British Open card
JOHANNESBURG: Shubhankar Sharma became the youngest Indian golfer to claim a European Tour title by clinching the Joburg Open, which also earned him a ticket to the prestigious British Open next year.
The 21-year-old closed with a three-under 69 and was bogeyfree in the final 54 holes as he ended his first tournament in South Africa with an impressive winning total of 23-under 264 at the Randpark Golf Club.
The win in only his 10th European Tour start made Shubhankar the youngest Indian to win on the European Tour; the first from the country to win in South Africa. He bettered the seasoned Anirban Lahiri, who was 27 when he won the co- sanctioned Maybank Malaysian Open in 2015.
This was also his maiden win on any international Tour outside India. Sharma defeated home favourite Erik van Rooyen (66) by three shots to claim the trophy, which was sanctioned by the Asian Tour as well.
“It feels fantastic. I’m glad I made the decision to come here after thinking about not coming. I don’t think I will ever forget this week. This is my first win on the Asian Tour and the European Tour so it means a lot to me,” he said.
“Playing in The Open is everyone’s dream. Personally it is my favourite Major championship. I’ve watched it every year on television and to be playing in it next year is absolutely fantastic,” he added.
Van Rooyen booked a spot at Carnoustie and he will be joined by countryman Shaun Norris, who earned his second appearance after being ranked higher than Tapio Pulkkanen on the
Official World Golf Ranking.
Sharma, on the ninth hole overnight, returned to strike a birdie before parring his way home for a 69 to become the first Asian and Indian golfer to win the 16.5 million rands (approximately USD 1.2 million) event.
The victory was more special for Sharma as he won in the country of his golfing idol Ernie Els, who he had met as an 11-year-old boy at the Delhi Golf Club in 2007.
Sharma caught the attention of Els at a golf clinic and after watching him hit a seven iron, the ‘Big Easy’ gave him an autographed business card and said, “Well when you grow up, I’ll be your agent”.