Two-time DP World Tour winner Shubhankar Sharma speaks to reporters at the Delhi Golf Club on Tuesday. Image courtesy DPWIC.
By Rahul Banerji
Shubhankar Sharma, a past winner on the DP World Tour, said he was looking forward to playing at the Delhi Golf Club in the DP World India Championship which starts on Thursday.
The $4 million event, co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of India, is the penultimate stop on the Back 9 of the DP World Tour leading to the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs.
“I am really excited. I’ve been looking forward to this event since January. I kind of knew already that it was coming,” Sharma said at the DGC on Tuesday.
“The course is in amazing condition. The last time I played here was 2020 and that was just one exhibition round during Covid to raise funds, Before that it was back in 2016.
“But when I teed off that first hole, it felt like I never left. It felt like yesterday because I spent so many evenings here as a kid practising, having putting competitions. Have very fond memories of the DGC.
Big occasion
“It’s amazing. 2007 or 2008 was the last time we had such a big event. Ernie Els came and we had a host of stars. Since then the Indian Open mostly has been very big.
“But with the DP World India Championship now, I hope that it continues for many years. To have all these players come here, it’s amazing.
On the course the former Tour rookie of the year said, “The greens are good and a bit more undulating than I remember, with new runoff areas, swales, and collection bowls.
“Around the greens it’s Bermuda grass, so lies can be grainy. The rough is up, and I’m sure the Tour will test us with pins — but it’s a fair examination.
“The bushes will always be intimidating here, but that’s part of DGC’s identity. Overall, the players I’ve spoken to are happy with the setup. I certainly am. It’s going to be a great week.”
Getting bigger
On how he sees India as a market for golf, Sharma added, “It is time. India is a growing market, and members at places like DGC and DLF want big events and big players.
“It’s not easy. The DGC was shut for almost a month to prepare, which is a big ask here. That shows how much the membership and stakeholders want this event.
“For sponsors like DP World, who do significant business in India, staging a top event here makes perfect sense. The audience is growing; the interest is real.
“From what I’ve heard, there’s strong intent for this to be an annual stop and to keep getting bigger.
“Like cricket, we also need Indian winners on big weeks — that’s the real game-changer, because it drives eyeballs and sustained support at home and abroad.”
Also read: Star-studded lineup led by McIlroy set for DGC extravaganza
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