June 05, 2018: Young Indian talent Shubhankar Sharma found success in his third attempt at the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier on Monday after finishing in a share of fifth place to secure a coveted spot in the year’s second Major championship next week.
Sharma, who leads the current Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, signed for a three-under-par 69 at the Brookside Golf and Country Club and a four-under-par 68 at the Lakes Golf and Country Club to end his campaign two shots back on seven-under-par 137 total.
The 21-year-old Sharma, a two-time Asian Tour winner, will make his debut appearance at the 118th U.S. Open Championship which gets underway at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, from June 14 to 17. He will also be the fifth and youngest Indian to play in the prestigious tournament.
Sharma had earlier made his Major debut at The Masters tournament in April after receiving an invite. He also booked his place at The Open in July when he claimed his breakthrough win at the Joburg Open, which was part of The Open Qualifying Series, last December.
“It was a great day for me. It was a long one with 36 holes but I am glad I played the Brookside in the morning as it is tougher with smaller greens and I grinded it out for a 69,” said Sharma. “It was a nervy ending on the 18th (in second round) as I hit to the left off the tee and it took a bad bounce and went into the rough. I had a terrible lie and I had to hit with one foot in the bunker with 150 yards to the front of the green. I hit a nine-Iron, which stayed short and again in the rough, thick lie. But I made a great up and down. I hit a good chip to 10 feet and holed it for par. At that stage I did not know the scores and felt that I needed to make par to have any chance.”
“I played well in the afternoon. I was four-under after the front nine, including a nice eagle. But I made a double on Par-3 after I pulled my tee shot into the water and the missed an up and down. That stopped my progress, but I recovered with a birdie on 15th, where I hit my second shot from 90 yards to six feet and holed the birdie putt. On the par-five 16th, I hit my second shot to 12 feet and made a two-putt birdie. Then came the 18th, and I am glad I held out,” Sharma added.
England’s Matt Wallace, who sits in second place on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, will be making his second straight appearance at the U.S. Open next week after grabbing one of the 14 spots on offer at the Sectional Qualifying held at the Walton Heath Golf Club.
Wallace signed for an opening five-under-par 67 at the New course and posted a two-under-par 70 at the Old course to finish three shots back of countrymen Andrew Johnston and James Morrison on seven-under-par 137.
Chinese veteran Liang Wen-chong and former Asian Tour member Sam Cyr are set to feature in the U.S. Open after coming through the qualifiers in Japan and the United States earlier in May.
Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Haotong Li of China will also spearhead the Asian challenge at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club by virtue of being inside top-60 on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) as of May 21.