Shubhankar Sharma made history with a T-8 finish at the 2023 Open, the best-ever performance by an Indian
As Indian golf fans, we always hope to see one of our top players compete at a major—especially at The Open Championship, golf’s oldest and most revered event. But this year, with Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri falling short at Final Qualifying on July 1st, India is not represented at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.
The absence is notable— will we be able to get back in line with the legacy ?
Trailblazer Gaurav Ghei
The journey began in 1997, when Gaurav Ghei became the first Indian to play a men’s major. The three-time Asian Tour winner teed it up at Royal Troon, where he shot 81-81 to miss the cut. Justin Leonard won that year at 12-under, but Ghei had already made history.
Jyoti Randhawa: A Consistent Pioneer
Three years later, Jyoti Randhawa, an eight-time Asian Tour champion, debuted at St. Andrews in 2000. Though he missed the cut, he returned in 2003 and 2004, where he finally broke through with a T-27 finish at Royal Troon, carding 73-72-70-72 (+3)—India’s best Open finish at the time.
Jeev Milkha Singh: Battling the Best
One of India’s most decorated golfers, Jeev Milkha Singh played The Open in 2007 and 2012. He missed the cut in his debut but finished T-69 at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012 with rounds of 70-71-76-73 (+10).
Arjun Atwal: PGA Tour Winner, Open Entrant
India’s lone PGA Tour winner to date, Arjun Atwal played his only Open in 2004, carding 74-74 (+6) at Royal Troon, missing the cut.
Shiv Kapur: A Rare Cut Made
Shiv Kapur, a four-time Asian Tour champion, made three appearances—2006, 2013, and 2017. His best effort came at Muirfield in 2013, where he made the cut and finished T-73 with rounds of 68-77-83-71 (+15).
Shubhankar Sharma: A New High for Indian Golf
No Indian has made a bigger mark at The Open than Shubhankar Sharma. In his four appearances, he has never missed a cut—the only Indian with that distinction. In 2023, at Royal Liverpool, Sharma carded 68-71-70-70 to finish T-8th, making him the first Indian to record a top-10 finish at The Open. That result earned him an automatic return in 2024, where he placed T-19 at Royal Troon.
RELATED: Shubhankar Sharma makes history for Indian golf
Sharma’s Open record:
| Year | Venue | Scores | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Carnoustie | 73-71-71-73 | T-51 |
| 2019 | Royal Portrush | 70-72-77-68 | T-51 |
| 2023 | Royal Liverpool | 68-71-70-70 | T-8 |
| 2024 | Royal Troon | 76-72-67-72 | T-19 |
Anirban Lahiri: Most Appearances
Anirban Lahiri has carried the Indian flag into six Open Championships—2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019. His T-30 finish at St Andrews in 2015 remains a highlight, though his consistency and visibility at the game’s biggest stage have been equally impactful.
Gaganjeet Bhullar: A Brief Appearance
Gaganjeet Bhullar, now an 11-time Asian Tour winner, made his lone Open appearance in 2009 at Turnberry, where he shot 71-77 (+8) and missed the cut.
The Bigger Picture
In total, eight Indian golfers have competed at The Open. Their journeys—some short, others historic—have helped shape the narrative of Indian golf on the world stage. Though 2025 will be without Indian representation, the path forward is clear: inspired by the past, powered by potential, and built for more.
British Open Results – Indian Golfers (Chronological Order of First Appearance)
| Player | Years of Appearances | Cuts Made | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaurav Ghei | 1997 | 0 | Missed Cut |
| Jyoti Randhawa | 2000, 2003, 2004 | 1 | T27 (2004) |
| Arjun Atwal | 2004 | 0 | Missed Cut |
| Shiv Kapur | 2006, 2013, 2017 | 1 | T73 (2013) |
| Jeev Milkha Singh | 2007, 2012 | 1 | T69 (2012) |
| Gaganjeet Bhullar | 2009 | 0 | Missed Cut |
| Anirban Lahiri | 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 | 4 | T30 (2015) |
| Shubhankar Sharma | 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 | 4 | T8 (2023) |
Photo – Olympics.com