Sharma is happy to be back at DGC for DP World India C’ship

Two-time DP World Tour winner Shubhankar Sharma speaks to reporters at the Delhi Golf Club on Tuesday. Image courtesy of DPWIC.

By Rahul Banerji

Shubhankar Sharma, a former DP World Tour winner, said he is looking forward to playing at the Delhi Golf Club in the DP World India Championship starting on Thursday.

The $4 million event, co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of India, is the penultimate stop on the DP World Tour’s Back 9 leading to the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs.

“I am very excited. I have been looking forward to this event since January. I actually knew it was coming,” Sharma said at the DGC on Tuesday.

“The course is in great condition. The last time I played here was in 2020 and that was just one exhibition round during Covid to raise money. Before that it was in 2016.

“But when I finished that first hole, it felt like I never left. It felt like yesterday because I spent so many evenings here as a kid practicing and putting contests. I have very fond memories of the DGC.

Great occasion

“It’s amazing. 2007 or 2008 was the last time we had such a big event. Ernie Els came and we had a lot of stars. Since then, the Indian Open has usually been very big.”

“But with the DP World India Championship now, I hope it continues for many years to come. It’s great to see all these players coming here.

Speaking about the course, the former Tour Rookie of the Year said: “The greens are good and a little more undulating than I remember, with new drainage areas, swales and collection bowls.

“Around the greens it’s Bermuda grass, so lies can be gritty. The rough terrain has arrived and I’m sure the Tour will test us with pins, but it’s a fair examination.”

“The bushes here are always going to be intimidating, 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.”

Grow bigger

On how he sees India as a market for golf, Sharma added: “It’s time. India is a growing market and members of places like DGC and DLF want big events and big players.

“It’s not easy. The DGC was closed for almost a month in preparation, which is a big demand here. That shows how much the members and stakeholders want this event.

“For sponsors like DP World, who do important business in India, organizing a top event here makes perfect sense. The audience is growing, the interest is real.

“From what I’ve heard, the plan is for this to be an annual stop and get bigger and bigger.

“Like cricket, we also need Indian winners on big weeks – that is the real game-changer as it drives eyeballs and sustained support at home and abroad.”

Also Read: Star-studded line-up led by McIlroy ready for DGC extravaganza

Related