India’s lone player on the DP World (European) Tour for the past several years, Shubhankar Sharma of Chandigarh, opened his 2026 season in Australia with mixed results.
The 29-year-old, with two DP World Tour titles and the youngest Indian to win on the Tour at 21, earned his way back into full-time golf with a spectacular 2nd place finish at the Qualifying Tournament in Spain last month, showing superb form that has otherwise eluded him all year.
Sharma began his 2026 campaign in Brisbane at the BMW Australian PGA Championship (US$1.6 million prize money), opening well with 69-69-69 to carry on where he finished in the Qualifying but a final round 75 dropped him to a disappointing finish at 56th. Mediocre form followed him last week at the Australian Open (US$1.3 million prize money) as he shot 73-70, missing the cut by one shot.
After his brilliance at the Qualifying Tournament, Sharma spoke about equipment changes—crediting new shafts—and thanked his club-fitting coach back home – Gurbaaz Maan for helping. These two weeks in Australia suggest the next job is getting that same feel under tournament pressure again.
It’s only December and the season is young, but the message is clear: Sharma has his playing rights in Europe back. Now he needs the scoring rhythm that is required.
As of now, Shubhankar’s name is missing from the entry list of the US$ 1.7mn Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa this week – but we hope that he returns to his former brilliant self and once again finds that winning form.
Photo – DPWT
