Two young guns putting Indian golf on the map

Rising Indian stars Shubhankar Sharma and Aaron Rai have the potential to inspire a whole generation of golfers in one of golf’s untapped markets.
A 2010 report from the New York Times estimates that there are around 100 000 golfers in India. Despite the huge lower class, out of a nation of over 1 billion, that is not many at all.
However, Sharma and Rai have the opportunity to inspire the burgeoning middle class. One way to do that is with results…and the duo are sure taking care of that.
After consistent golf, Sharma recently claimed the 2018 Asian Tour Order of Merit, becoming the youngest Indian to do so. It caps of a strong year, where he broke into the top 100 for the first time.
At WGC-Mexico in March – his debut PGA Tour event – he held the lead after the 36 and 54 hole leads but faltered in the final round. Sharma’a efforts earned him an invitation to the Masters, where he became just the fourth Indian to participate at Augusta.
What an incredible season for @shubhankargolf 🇮🇳, #1 on the Habitat for Humanity Standings #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/ACTS7QLSXF
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) 10 December 2018
“This year has been a huge learning curve for me,” the 22-year-old said after securing the Asian Tour accolade.
“I’ve played in some of the biggest events I could ever imagine and learned a lot. I know I have the game to be among the best in the world and I just want to keep playing well and give my best shot.”
While not born in India, 23-year-old Rai is of Indian descent and bagged his first European Tour win a the Hong Kong Open last month, adding to his three Challenge Tour wins.
😘#HonmaHKOpen pic.twitter.com/jVJMJTX23n
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) 25 November 2018
“It’s incredible to win on any tour, let alone the European Tour,” he told BBC Sport.
“It’s nice having wins in the past which help you in a sense, but it did feel a little bit different today in terms of just how big it is.
“Also playing with two world-class players in Tommy Fleetwood and Matt [Fitzpatrick] was huge for me.”
Latest
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.
-
News
Max Homa: Tiger Woods now understands the respect he commands from his peers
Homa has made no secret of his admiration for Woods.
-
Ryder Cup
Bernard Gallacher fears Greg Norman is not the man for compromise with LIV Golf
Players who have resigned from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf will not be eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
LPGA Tour
Brooke Henderson takes two-shot lead into final round of Evian Championship
South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon climbed into outright second place on 15 under.