European Tour regular, Shubhankar Sharma playing on the domestic circuit after a gap of several years, closed with a five-under 67 to claim the inaugural Boulders Classic in Hyderabad on the DP World PGTI last week.
The 29-year-old from Chandigarh dominated the week, finishing at a record 25-under 263 (66-66-64-67) — eight shots clear — to set the lowest aggregate score in tour history. It was his first professional win in over eight years, dating back to the 2018 Maybank Championship ( Malaysia), and his first title on the Indian circuit since Dec. 2017.
Starting the final round with a seven-shot cushion, Sharma never let the field in. Six birdies against a lone bogey ensured a comfortable finish, but the tone was set early — a chip-in from 30 yards on the second gave him immediate control.
“I stuck to my game plan throughout. Even when I dropped a shot, I bounced back quickly and kept attacking,” Sharma said. “Even with the lead, I didn’t think about easing off. Golf can change quickly.”
The timing of this win could be significant. After years on the DP World Tour without a win, this return to India has delivered both a title and momentum. Whether it translates to the bigger stage as he returns to the European Tour , now becomes the key question.
Hyderabad’s Mohd Azhar, Rashid Khan and Angad Cheema shared second at 17-under 271, while Ajeetesh Sandhu finished fifth at 16-under. Manu Gandas surged into T-9 with a final-round 64, equalling the course record.
Shubhankar Sharma carried momentum into the US$2.75 million Volvo China Open, where he is T-67 at 1-under 141 after two rounds.
Following the Hyderabad leg, the tour moved to Gurugram for the inaugural DP World Players Championship at Classic Golf and Country Club, where Akshay Sharma claimed his first title in over five years. The 35-year-old closed at 19-under 269 with rounds of 70-65-70-64.
Sharma began the final round four shots behind Dhruv Sheoran but produced a flawless 8-under 64, capped by birdies on the last two holes, to secure the win. Sheoran, who needed an eagle on the 18th to force a playoff, made a birdie to finish runner-up at 18-under 270.
The victory ended Sharma’s title drought dating back to November 2020 in Panchkula.
The past three events on tour have all produced comeback winners. Khalin Joshi ended a three-year winless run in Visakhapatnam, Shubhankar Sharma broke an eight-year drought in Hyderabad, and Akshay Sharma followed with his win in Gurugram.
The tour now takes a two-month break before resuming in July.
