Shubhankar seeks happy return to Malaysia in CIMB Classic

PETALING JAYA: Indian debutant Shubhankar Sharma will spearhead a strong line-up of 10 Asian Tour golfers at the US PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic, which starts at the TPC Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Asian Tour Order of Merit leader will be seeking a happy return to Malaysia after capturing the European Tour’s Maybank Championship for his career’s biggest victory at the Saujana Golf and Country Club in February.

Shubhankar will be joined by compatriots Gaganjeet Bhullar and Rahil Gangjee in the US$7mil (RM29mil) showpiece, the only PGA Tour event in South-East Asia.

The other seven qualifiers are South Korea’s Park Sang-hyun and Choi Min-chel, Scott Vincent (Zimbabwe), Justin Harding (South Africa) and American trio John Catlin, Kim Si-hwan and Berry Henson. Sang-hyun, Min-chel, Vincent, Harding, Catlin, Si-hwan and Rahil are also featuring in the CIMB Classic for the first time.

Shubhankar is all pumped up for his debut.

“I’ve never played in the CIMB Classic before and it should be very exciting. I’ve watched it on television before and my second win obviously came in Malaysia, so I’m looking forward to returning and putting up another good show,” said Shubhankar.

Shubhankar, the world No. 93, is eager to use the lucrative tournament, which offers a cool US$1.26mil (RM5.24mil) winner’s cheque, to race ahead of the chasing pack in the battle for the Asian Tour No. 1 crown.

That’s because 50% of the money earned this week will be counted for the season-long standings.

Shubhankar now leads the money list with US$608,493 (RM2.53mil) and Sang-hyun is a close second with US$554,216 (RM2.3mil).

“I had a bigger lead before but the players are playing better and everyone’s getting closer.

“I know I’ve got to play well and I have to finish strong in the last few events, so I’m going to give it my best,” said Shubhankar.

I’m looking forward to putting up another good show. Shubhankar Sharma