Shubhankar Sharma prevailed over Delhi’s Rashid Khan by one shot in a classic encounter to claim the season-ending Rs. 1.5 crore McLeod Russel Tour Championship title at the revered Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC).
The 21-year-old from Chandigarh, who recently became the youngest Indian to win on the European Tour, ended his dream season, which saw him collect 3 trophies, on a high.
“I WAS REALLY CALM THE WHOLE DAY. DESPITE TRAILING THE LEADER, I NEVER LET THE PRESSURE
BUILD ON MYSELF. I WAS A BIT UPSET AFTER MISSING A THREE-FOOTER FOR BIRDIE ON THE NINTH
BUT BOUNCED BACK WELL WITH SOME GOOD SHOTS ON THE BACK-NINE… I READ THE LINE WELL
AND SAW IT THROUGH.” – SHUBHANKAR SHARMA
Trailing by two shots till the 14th hole, Shubhankar turned it around in the final stages to end up with a round of 68 and a winning total of 17-under 271. He thus took home his sixth professional trophy and the winner’s cheque worth a whopping Rs. 22.50 lakh. The 26-year-old Rashid (71) finished with a total of 16-under-272.
Seasoned pro Shamim Khan bagged his second PGTI Order of Merit title after finishing tied fourth at 8-under 280. Shamim, who had earlier won the title in 2012, closed the 2017 season with earnings of Rs. 51,64,233 to finish No. 1 in the money list by a fair distance. He also won 3 titles during the season.
(Read more in the February issue of Golf Digest India. Download here.)