Exclusive: Golf prodigy Shubham Jaglan

Ten-year-old Shubham Jaglan created history by winning the IJGA World Stars of Junior Golf event in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Just a few days ago the 10-year-old son of …

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Ten-year-old Shubham Jaglan created history by winning the IJGA World Stars of Junior Golf event in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Just a few days ago the 10-year-old son of a milkman from rural Haryana, scripted a scintillating one-stroke win at the Junior World Golf Championships. When Shubham claimed the IMG Academy junior world championship for the 9-10 age category in San Diego, it wasn’t just another win. For the young boy for over 109 tournaments, this was an epic win. This was the culmination of the four years of energies spent, struggles survived. It was the summit for the family that had never stepped out of their village fields till four years ago.

 

1. What has this journey from Israna to the United States taught Shubham the most?

 

Shubham Jaglan:  The most important thing I have learned is to listen and understand people’s opinions, specially my dad and my coach Nonita Lal’s. She has been a pillar of strength. My journey has taught me a lot and I am thankful for that.

 


 

 

2. It wasn’t easy initially for you. Funds were hard to come by. How do you value the timely help for learning golf that came from different quarters – Golf Foundation in particular?

 

Shubham Jaglan: That was very critical. It has helped me a lot to sharpen my game and take it to another level. I could travel and grow my interest in the sport. I was able to build on new opportunities. I am grateful for all that has come my way.

 

SHUBHAMS’ FAVOURITE PEOPLE

GOLFERS Gary Player, Shiv Kapur
MENTOR Nonita Lal
CADDIE His proud dad
GOAL Beat Nicklaus’ Record

 


 

3. What made you believe you could win?

 

SJ: What made me believe that I could win was the desire and support of all the people who have supported me. Specially my father and my coach who have spent a lot of time to help me improve my game and all the hard work which we had done from a year made me believe in myself.

 


 

4. Who is your mentor and why?

 

SJ: My coach is Nonita Lal Qureshi. She was a former Indian Professional and has won the Arjuna Award. I think that she is the best mentor for me in the world and her teachings suit me the best.

 


 

5. What was the biggest struggle of your golf career?

 

SJ: The biggest struggle of my life was last week at San Diego when my putter which I had got fitted was not working and that scared me the most because if it didn’t work, I would clearly lose the tournament! Then I got my old putter which I have been using from 3 of my 4 years and thank god it worked!!!

 


 

 

6. Coming from the family of wrestlers, what prompted you to choose golf?

 

SJ: No one knew of golf in my village Israna until Kapoor Singh, who lives in US opened a golf academy there. My grandfather, Ishwar Singh Jaglan introduced me to this academy and then my family knew what golf is. Later my dad took me to the academy, which merely existed for two months.

 


 

7. What keeps you interested in golf as a young boy?

 

SJ: I think my passion for the game keeps me glued, to be a better golfer with each passing day.

 


 

8. Which Indian golfer inspires you the most and why?

 

SJ: Shiv Kapur, because he is a fighter and doesn’t give up easily. He is a hard working golfer and I see him on the golf course all day practicing. And also, because he is from my home club Delhi Golf Course.

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