Shubhankar Sharma scores a massive six shot victory at Eagleton

February 19, 2016: It was Shubhankar Sharma all the way on the final day of the PGTI Players Championship presented by Eagleton – The Golf Resort. The precocious teenager from the DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon, drove home the overnight three-shot advantage with a scorching seven-under-65 in the final round to be crowned champion with a total score of 24-under-264, a massive six shots ahead of the rest of the field.

Mukesh Kumar scored 69 for an overall total of 16-under 272 and a fourth place finish. Vikrant Chopra rounded out the top five with a 68 in the final round of the second event on the PGTI Tour calendar for 2016.

But this week has belonged to an in form Sharma. The talented teenager shot 25 birdies and an eagle this week against just three bogeys over the four rounds at the course in Bidadi.

On Friday, Sharma was flawless, distancing himself from the field with five birdies on the front nine. It was just a case coasting home from there as he rode his way to victory comfortably, adding birdies at the 10th and 18th hole to finish the tournament in style.

“I set myself a target of six-under for the day so was happy to end up with a seven-under. I thought a five-under on the front-nine would set it up for me and I managed to achieve that. I did well on the par-5s with birdies on three of them and also sank a couple of 12-footers on the front-nine. After the good par-save on the 14th, I knew I was almost there.”

“I’m thankful to a lot of seniors on the PGTI and fellow Indians on the Asian Tour who have given me sound advice from time to time. That has helped me progress as a player,” added Sharma, an Army officer’s son, who traces his roots to Jammu.

Sanjeev Kumar shot a fine 66 to jump into a three way tie for sixth with Khalin Joshi and Kapil Kumar, both of whom made 70 for an overall total of 275.

Harish K, Udayan Mane and Shamim Khan brought up the top ten with scores of 68, 68 and 69 respectively, at 12-under 276. The Tour now moves to Hyderabad, for the Golconda Masters from 25 through 28 February at the spectacular Hyderabad Golf Club course.