Greater Noida: Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma produced an impressive performance to win the Vishwaraj Samudra Presents Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship, powered by NALCO, at Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort. Sharma carded a final-round three-under-par 69 to secure the title by six shots in the ₹2 crore tournament.
The 30-year-old Chandigarh golfer finished with a four-round total of 14-under-par 274, recording scores of 68, 65, 72 and 69. He earned ₹30 lakh for the victory, his second title on the DP World PGTI Tour this season. His previous triumph came at the Boulders Classic in April, ending an eight-year wait for a professional title.
Eagle at the 12th Proves Decisive
Sharma began the final round with a two-shot advantage but saw his lead narrow after a series of bogeys. The turning point came at the par-five 12th hole, where he sank a long putt from approximately 60–70 feet for an eagle despite challenging windy conditions.
The spectacular shot restored his momentum and helped him pull away from the field. He subsequently managed his game effectively, finishing with three birdies and two bogeys to complete a commanding six-shot victory.
Italy’s Michele Ortolani and Bengaluru’s Manoj S. shared second place at eight-under-par 280. Manoj received ₹16 lakh and climbed from 26th to 17th in the Race to the DP World India Championship standings.
Four-time winner Khalin Joshi finished fourth at seven-under-par 281, while Gurgaon’s Harman Sachdeva and Chandigarh’s Yuvraj Sandhu shared fifth place at six-under-par 282.
Sharma Ready for DP World India Championship
Sharma will now lead the Indian challenge at the DP World India Championship, a $4 million tournament organised jointly with the DP World Tour. The field is expected to feature prominent international players, including defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, two-time Masters champion Rory McIlroy, reigning Open champion Ryan Fox, Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson.
Sharma said returning to India to compete alongside familiar players was special. He also highlighted the opportunity to showcase the country’s historic golf courses to an international audience, adding that the familiarity and camaraderie of the domestic circuit helped him perform at his best.
