Feeling good about my game says Shubhankar Sharma in Mexico

By Rahul Banerji

After a stellar three rounds at the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship last year and some career highlights later in the season including finishing as Asian’s no. 1 golfer, Shubhankar Sharma believes he has the game to win at the very highest level.

Sharma also knows he needs to bring his A-game to the course on such occasions when he tees up at the star-studded event starting on Thursday where a year ago, he announced his arrival on the global stage.

Unlike last year when he arrived for the WGC-Mexico Championship on the back of wins in South Africa and Malaysia, the 22-year-olds’s early season this year has been patchy with two missed cuts from three tournaments on the European Tour recently.

Refresher course

However, a late call on playing the PGTI Players Championship at the Classic course last week – where he finished in a tie for second place one shot behind winner Udayan Mane – seems to have paid off. 

“I didn’t plan to play but decided to do so as I wanted some match practice. I had a good week and got some confidence out it. I feel pretty fresh this year and I’m feeling good about my game,” said Sharma.

He arrived in Mexico City last Saturday in an bid to overcome jetlag and acclimatise to the altitude change where the Chapultepec course is some 7,600 feet above sea level, resulting in the balls having a longer flight.

“I spent the whole of Monday figuring out how far the ball will travel and to get the yardages right. Played 18 holes in practice today (Tuesday) and will play another nine on Wednesday to get ready. It feels great being back here, a lot of good memories, said Sharma.

‘I know I can win anywhere’

“I know if I can play my best stuff, I can win anywhere. It drives me every day to try to get back into the winner’s circle,” said Sharma, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Sharma led after the second and third rounds at Club de Golf Chapultepec 12 months ago in his WGC debut before finishing T9 while he was also the co-third leader in the PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia in October, finishing T10.

“I’ve been in those situations. Even though I didn’t finish it off, you know you are good enough to compete on a high level. This week’s course suits me. A win will make very happy but I don’t want to think about what I want to finish. I just want to try to get my best golf out.”

New outlook

Acceptance has also become a key word for the Asia number one as he copes with the expectations following his early success.

“To be honest, acceptance is really important. You can never have your top game every week, probably only one or two weeks you can play your best golf.

“That means whatever that is working, you have to make use of it. Course management comes into play, the short game is very important and you can win tournaments at 80 or 90 percent of your capabilities.

“The mindset is very important, you have to be positive and every time a player wins, you get into that mindset as it’s all about confidence,” said Sharma.

Stellar field

In Mexico, Phil Mickelson will defend his title in Mexico against a cast that includes 2017 FedExCup champion Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Tiger Woods, who is making his first competitive appearance in Mexico.

With local fans coming out in full force, Sharma is looking forward to a strong show.

“Whenever you play in a big event and against a stronger field, it gives you more opportunities to showcase what you have,” said Sharma, who is drawn alongside Matt Wallace and Cameron Smith for the first two rounds.

“Last year, I played in a lot of big events and those experiences get into the memory bank and helps make you a better player. I’m very comfortable playing against the big boys now.”

Vani, Tvesa in Oz Ladies Classic fray

Meanwhile, Vani Kapoor and Tvesa Malik are among five Indians women who will tee off at the $350,00 Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic–Bonville, which is a co-sanctioned event with the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour.

Vani, who earned a full card to Australian Ladies PGA Tour this year, got in through the host assocation, while Tvesa, Diksha Dagar and Amandeep Drall have received sponsor invites. Astha Madan got in by virtue of being in the Top-25 of the LET Qualifying School.

The five are also due to play next week’s ActewAGL Canberra Classic, also co-sanctioned by Australian LPGA and the Ladies European Tours.

Also read: Shubhankar eager to recapture WGC-Mexico momentum