Sharma shows potential despite faltering in final

mexico city — Shubhankar Sharma’s hopes of winning on his PGA Tour debut were dashed by a torrid final round on Sunday but the 21-year-old Indian’s performance at the WGC-Mexico Championship has made the golfing world sit up and take notice.

Sharma teed off in the final group along with Phil Mickelson and Tyrrell Hatton at Club de Golf Chapultepec holding a two-shot lead and needing one more great round to become the youngest winner of a World Golf Championships event, as well as the first to win in his first WGC start.

However, his lead soon vanished and a closing stretch of four bogeys in his last six holes condemned him to a three-over 74 in the final round, pushing him down to a tie for ninth on 274.

“A little bit disappointed, I was leading and I think I couldn’t finish it off today,” said Sharma. “But that’s what the game is about. And what I learned, especially playing with Phil, I’ll cherish it forever.”

Sharma was six when he went to a golf course for the first time and got hooked on the sport. His father quit the Indian army to help his son chase his golfing goals.

Five-times major champion Mickelson who had mistaken Sharma for a member of the media on Saturday but will no doubt be able to put a name to the face in future.

“I saw how well he struck the golf ball. He hit a beautiful tee shot on one, you can tell he can really play,” Mickelson said.

“I saw some of the putts, some of the highlights with the putter. I know he’s a very talented player and I believe he’s leading the Order of Merit on the European Tour, so I know what a great player Mr. Sharma is.” —