Unplugged with Shubhankar Sharma

Shubhankar Sharma is not only the youngest to win the All India Amateur Championship, which he won as a 16-year-old when he lifted the title at Royal Calcutta Golf Club in 2013, but also the youngest winner on the PGTI at 17 years and ninth months when he clinched the PGTI Cochin Masters in April, 2014.

Tilak Malaviya unplugs the 19-year-old golfer from Gurgaon, who was fourth at the Panasonic Open India 2014, after missing out getting into the play-off by a solitary stroke.

Home Golf Course: DLF Golf & Country Club

Turned Pro: 2011

First Coach: Devendra Patel

Early years: Started golf as a 7 year-old kid. My father Col. Mohanlal Sharma introduced me to the game at Wellington Gymkhana Club in Ooty. I did pretty well as a junior and represented the country in International events.

Highlights as an Amateur: Becoming the youngest to win the All-India Amateur Championship in 2013, which incidentally, was also my only title as an amateur. I defeated Viraj Madappa 3&2 in the final at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club.  As soon as I won the All India Amateur, I realized it was time to turn professional.

Highlights as a Pro: Winning my first professional title – the PGTI Cochin Masters in 2014 was a big confidence booster as it came in my second season on the PGTI. It was a super series event and the field had some big names like Anirban Lahiri, Rahil Gangjee, Rashid Khan to name a few. I also did pretty well at last year’s Panasonic Open India where I finished fourth. It was a great learning experince to play with seasoned Asian Tour pros. I never imagined that I would be in the mix. I’m only 19 and still learning. Now I know how to handle myself if I’m in the same position again.

I lost in a play-off to Chikkarangappa at last week’s Take Solution India Masters. My form is good and I am happy with the way I played all week. This is my best result on the ADT. I didn’t expect myself to finish with a 25-under-par total so it was great. Hopefully I will go one better this week at Panasonic Open India 2015.

Dream Fourball: I would like to play with Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods & Seve Ballesteros

Mantra in life: Just do the best that I can

Leisure time: I like to read, catch up with friends and watch movies.

Future Plans: To win on the Asian Tour and play big-ticket events, and hopefully win a Major one day.

Golf Bag: Titleist Irons & TaylorMade 3 wood

Golfer: Tiger Woods

Sportsperson: Roger Federer

Actors: Hrithik Roshan & Shahid Kapur

Movies: Rocky Series

Music: Coldplay and U2

Cuisine: Indian food

Holiday destination: Scotland

Golf course: Delhi Golf Club & Augusta National