Winning on home soil is special, says Shubhankar

Shubhankar Sharma’s agonising eight-year wait for a title ended after a commanding victory at the Boulders Classic. As the winning putt settled the contest, he allowed himself a pause before being engulfed in celebrations.

His friends rushed to the course to soak in a cherished triumph, one that was cathartic and familiar in equal measure. “It was nice to walk down the 18th (hole) knowing that I had done it after hitting my tee shot. There were many great shots, but my favourite moment was on the 18th, because that’s not happened in a long time,” Shubhankar told The Hindu.

The 29-year-old, who has battled form and equipment challenges in recent times, said winning on home soil made the moment even more meaningful. “I’ve come very close over the years. This is special because all my friends are here. It’s probably tough to recreate this if I play in Europe,” he said.