Sharma ready to get going again

FOLLOWING a three-week break, India’s Shubhankar Sharma (pic) will resume his chase for a PGA TOUR card after receiving invitations to tee up in this week’s Fort Worth Invitational and the Memorial Tournament next week.

The 21-year-old Maybank Championship winner is eager to accumulate FedExCup points to further his bid of joining countryman Anirban Lahiri on the world’s premier golf Tour following an eye-catching T9 finish at the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship in early March.

Sharma has played in 12 tournaments over a span of 15 weeks and the young Indian enjoyed a wellearned break at home and did not touch his clubs for three days before resuming light work with his coach.

“I practically did nothing and had a wonderful time with my family and friends,” said Sharma. “The break also gave me time to work on my fitness, as well as refining some parts of my game to get ready for the second half of the year.

“I feel really good, the game feels good. It’s been a fruitful three weeks. Now, I have to go out there and shoot some good numbers.”

His close friend and clubfitter, Gurbaaz Mann will caddy over the next two weeks, a partnership that was successful in the impressive run in Mexico where Sharma led after days two and three.

“He’s been a friend for so long and he helps my game too. If there’s any problem with my swing, he’ll be able to pick it up,” said Sharma, who is the Asian Tour No. 1.

Being at home for an extended period of time also allowed Sharma and his team to analyse his progress and reassess his goals for the remainder of the year.

“When you’re playing so many events in a row, you won’t feel 100 percent with the game and I think it happens to every player. It’s part and parcel of the game and you try to play through it,” he said.

“The past few months have been a learning curve for me. The amount of travelling and playing allowed me to learn more about myself and how I need to adapt and react to different courses and situations. It’s a year of firsts for me – playing in new events and on new courses every week and I’m trying to take in as much as possible. I have expectations but I’m not putting pressure on myself.”