Competing in the International Series Feels Like a Homecoming": Golfer Shubhankar Sharma

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Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-02-11 09:06:06 |

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Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma isfully aware of the challenge ahead at the US$2 million International SeriesIndia in Gurugram, which kicks off this week. While LIV Golf stars likereigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and Joaquin Niemann, the 2024International Series rankings winner, dominate the headlines, Sharma isparticularly focused on the strong domestic challenge posed by his fellowIndian golfers. The tournament, taking place from January 30 to February 2 atthe DLF Golf and Country Club, promises to be a tough competition, with Indianplayers gaining significant experience through The International Series and theAsian Tour in recent years.

Local heroes like Anirban Lahiri, whoplays alongside DeChambeau and Paul Casey for Crushers GC, and 11-time AsianTour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar, will be among the crowd favorites. Veterans suchas Jeev Milkha Singh, S.S.P. Chawrasia, and Shiv Kapur will also add to thechallenge, as will Ajeetesh Sandhu, Rashid Khan, and Rahil Gangjee, all of whomare proven winners on the Asian Tour.

There are also emerging players, suchas Yuvraj Sandhu, 27, who finished T4 at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters inOctober, and 25-year-old Karandeep Khochhar, a runner-up at the BNI IndonesianMasters and T5 at the Volvo China Open, both major events in The InternationalSeries in 2023.

Sharma, a two-time winner on the AsianTour, expressed his pride in the progress Indian golf has made in the pastdecade. "Indian golf has done so well in the last 10 or 11 years since Iturned professional," said Sharma. "A lot of Indian players havehoned their skills on the Asian Tour, and that's where I started as well. I wonthe Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2018, and that was a turning point for me. TheAsian Tour has always felt like home."

Sharma also acknowledged how the AsianTour and The International Series have elevated the competition. "Thelevel of competition is much stronger now, and it’s amazing to see how far thegame has come, not just in India, but across all countries in Asia," headded. "The depth of the fields is improving, and the competition is muchtougher."

Having played in high-level eventslike the season-ending Saudi International, Sharma knows firsthand the standardof competition on The International Series.

"For me, playing in India feelslike a homecoming," he said. "It’s not only about playing in India but also playing on the Asian Tour. It’s much more relaxed, and I know everyonehere, so the atmosphere is great."

Sharma’s return to familiarsurroundings promises to add excitement to the tournament, where Indian playerswill compete fiercely for the prestigious title.

Go!