By Rahul Banerji
Shubhankar Sharma ends a four-month hiatus from professional golf with the opening round of the 1 million euro Hero Open near Birmingham on Thursday.
The former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner has a morning start alongside Englishmen Eddie Pepperell and Andy Sullivan at the 7215-yard par 72 Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club course.
Shubhankar landed in England a couple of days ago having spent his 24th birthday at home, and tweeted, “Needed almost a space suit to reach Birmingham, guys.
‘Back to normal’
“But once in the bubble, life is back to normal.”
Acknowledging the effort put in by the European Tour that resumed play early in July,, he added, ““Some passion and planning by the European Tour. Hat s off to Mr (Keith) Pelley and the team.
“Thanks to Air India for being so helpful and fab all through. Let’s play now,” the two-time European Tour winner added.
The Hero Open, which replaces the English Open last played in 2002, will also see a record 707th professional start by the evergreen Miguel Angel Jiminez.
The Spaniard will take the all-time record on the European Tour, improving on 2002 Ryder Cup-winning captain Sam Torrance’s mark. Jiminez will tee off alongside British Open winner Renato Paratore and England’s Robert Rock.
According to the European Tour’s website, the English Open ran from 1988 to 2002, and as the English Classic from 1979 to 1983.
Storied event
The tournament has an impressive history of champions that include Major winners and Ryder Cup stars. Seve Ballesteros is the youngest winner of the event at 22 years and 83 days in 1979.
Prior to the Hero Open, the last action Shubhankar saw was in West Asia. He played five tournaments between Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman and finally the Qatar Masters (March 5 to 8).
The Covid-19 pandemic made its effects felt at that point. Last month, he joined fellow-golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar and cricketers Kapil Dev and Murali Kartik in a charity hit at the Delhi Golf Club.
Former US Open winner Michael Campbell will be playing his second event of the UK Swing. He starts alongside veteran Britons Jamie Donaldson and Graeme Storm.
Another stalwart, Darren Clarke, was the last winner of the English Open back in 2002. Both Donaldson and Storm were in the field that year.
Also read: Hero MotoCorp to sponsor renamed European Tour event
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