India’s Shubhankar Sharma has accepted an invitation to play at The Masters following his breakout year on the European Tour, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Sharma will be the fourth Indian to play at The Masters joining Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Anirban Lahiri.
The 21-year-old first made headlines in November 2017 as he romped to the Joburg Open title at Randpark when he won by three strokes over local favourite Erik van Rooyen. The win was set up by a stunning second round 61 before he displayed the composure of a tour veteran as he closed out his maiden title.
The Joburg win proved to be no fluke as he took the Maybank Championship field by surprise with a final round 62 to win his second event by two shots and, as a result climb, to the top of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai standings.
That position afforded him the opportunity to test himself against the world’s best at the WGC-Mexico where he led after 36 holes and again after 54 before fading into a share of ninth. His performances combined with his global appeal have now paid off in the best possible manner after being extended an invitation by Fred Ridley, new chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, to compete in the year’s first Major.
‘Golf is a global game, and throughout our history we have extended invitations to deserving international players not otherwise qualified,’ Ridley said in a statement.
‘As his results have proven, Shubhankar Sharma is a remarkable young player, and we look forward to welcoming him to Augusta National in April.’
The last player to receive an invitation to play was Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa in 2013.
Two qualification criteria remain active for this year’s Tournament: winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the season-ending Tour Championship and the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to The Masters.
