Shubhankar Sharma off with a solid start to his 2023 season
26-year-old Shubhankar Sharma showed that Abu Dhabi is one of his favourite stops on the European Tour as he put together four solid rounds of 67-70-69-69 (total 13-under 275) to finish tied 7th at the US$ 9mn Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the DP World Tour’s season opener at Yas Links Abu Dhabi in UAE. In 2022, Shubhankar finished 2nd at the same event, his best finish on the European Tour in five years.
Trailing by three to start the day, Sharma got off to a hot start with an eagle on the second hole and followed it with birdies on the 5th and 6th holes. He briefly held a share of the lead for a few minutes but bogeys on 8th and 11th derailed his charge and he finished in a tie for seventh.
Sharma cashed in US$ 230,000 (₹1.8 cr) for his efforts which again gives him a great start for the year. Victor Perez of France shot 71-65-68-66 (18-under 270) to win the title.
In 2022, Sharma played in 23 events and posted earnings of over US$ 1.2mn in total on the European Tour.
Sharma is now being seen in action at the US$ 9mn Hero Dubai Classic from Jan. 26-29 at Emirates GC in Dubai.
Credits:-
Photo – Joy Chakravarty