Paris Olympics 2024 Golf: Shubhankar, Gaganjeet ready to rub shoulders with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm

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Paris, Jul 31: Pristine conditions at the Le Golf National in Paris will welcome Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar as they are scheduled to tee off on Thursday (August 1) for the men's individual stroke play competition of the ongoing Summer Olympic Games.

Interestingly, the Chandigarh-based golfers will be making their Olympic debut in Paris and will apply their learnings from the competitions in Europe and Asia.

Bhullar and Sharma along with their personal coaches Sundeep Verma and Jesse Grewal, respectively, took part in the athletes' parade during the Opening Ceremony on the Seine River and labelled it as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience.

"To participate in the Opening ceremony parade as an Indian was an incredible experience. I have played all big events of the golfing world including Major championships, but this experience was different and standalone. Absolutely thrilled to be part of the parade with all the other athletes of our country," Shubhankar told myKhel from Paris.

Bhullar said that he had not dreamt of wearing the ceremonial dress and waving the Indian Tricolour on top of a boat till the time he reached Paris. The 11-time Asian Tour winner could not participate in the 2006 Doha Asian Games opening ceremony. Bhullar was part of the Asiad silver medal-winning team of Anirban Lahiri, Joseph Chakola and Chiragh Kumar.

"Great experience, it was electrifying. I competed in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha but unfortunately couldn't be a part of the opening ceremony. This is the first time I have been a part of such a grand ceremony. It was ecstatic!" Bhullar told MyKhel.

Gaganjeet has been paired along with Gavin Green of Malaysia and Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat and will tee off at 10:33 am IST. On the other hand, Shubhankar is paired with Puerto Rican Rafa Campos and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico and will kick off his Olympic Games campaign at 12:17 pm IST.

Both the Indian professionals confirmed that Le Golf National, the 2018 Ryder Cup venue, is in 'pristine' condition and 'driving is at a premium'. "It's a golf course where your driving is at a premium, one has to keep the ball in play. The level of difficulty is higher than any European or Asian Tour event," Gaganjeet said.

Shubhankar said: "The course is a great challenge and I am happy to be taking that challenge. It is in pristine shape at the moment. The management committee has done a fab job of it. I am looking forward to going tomorrow!"

The 60-player field comprises former and current World No. 1s and Major winners like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schaufelle, the defending champion, among others.

For some, the chance to play with these illustrious names might feel like pressure but not for the confident Indian pair. While Gaganjeet sees it as an 'opportunity', Shubhankar insists "I have played with all these guys before and many times... I can very well hold my own, on my day. So no pressures from any players, whatsoever."

Gaganjeet's coach Sundeep Verma, who is travelling to his third Olympics as coach following Rio 2016 with SSP Chawrasia and Tokyo 2020 with Diksha Dagar, has cautioned him to have extra focus while putting on the 'tricky' greens.

"The Le Golf National is a course that has been designed keeping elite competition in mind, therefore it's definitely not a cakewalk. The course has been set up like they do for other elite competitions. Gaganjeet has played the French Open in this set-up before so is pretty aware of what to expect of it.

"His game is cut out for a track like this one, he drives the ball long and straight, and his irons are crisp. The only thing I would say requires a bit of extra focus is putting, as the greens here are on the bigger side," Sundeep Verma told myKhel.

Asked what is his tip for handling the huge pressure of expectations coming along with representing 140 crore Indians in Paris 2024, Sundeep said: "Naturally when you are playing for your country in the biggest sporting competition on the planet, nerves do play an important role. My advice to Gaganjeet is to stick to the game plan and treat it like any other competition that he is competing in."

Shubhankar, who has got vast experience playing in Europe, said that he would like to translate his understanding into a memorable performance this time. "I have been on the European Tour for a while now and I understand the conditions much better than the time I started 7 years ago. So, I am prepared for the challenge as anybody else," Shubhankar, who has four European Tour titles under his belt, signed off.