'Winning Here Would Mean the World': Shubhankar Sharma Eyes Hero Indian Open Glory at Challenging Gurugram Course

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Gurugram, March 26: With the Hero Indian Open 2025 set to tee off on March 27, Indian golf star Shubhankar Sharma is gearing up for what he describes as one of the toughest tests on the calendar.

The 28-year-old, a two-time DP World Tour winner, considers this tournament as India's "fifth major" and believes that navigating the challenging layout of the DLF Golf & Country Club will be crucial to success. The Jammu-born golfer, who turned pro at 16, has also succeeded in keeping his playing rights on the tour since 2017.

A Grueling Test at DLF Golf & Country Club

Speaking about how difficult it is to go under par at the venue. "The course is one of the toughest we play all year. It's not just me; every player agrees. If the course continues to play as it is now, it will only get tougher over the weekend," he said. According to him, anyone staying under par across four days will likely secure a top-10 finish.

The DLF course has evolved since its 2017 debut, and Sharma highlighted the thick, rough and firm greens as key differentiators this year. "It's so different from last year. The rough is up, the greens are firmer, and it's tough to stop the ball on the fairways, let alone from the rough. Under par will be a really good score," he added.

Homecoming and a Dream to Win

For Sharma, playing in India's premier golf tournament holds sentimental value. "Winning here would mean the world. The Hero Indian Open was the first tournament I ever attended as a kid, watching international players compete. It inspired me to turn professional," he said. With family and friends in attendance, a victory at DLF would be a momentous achievement in his career.

On Fellow Competitor Veer Ahlawat

Sharma also spoke about his compatriot Veer Ahlawat, who impressed in the last edition. "We play together a lot, but I know it's Veer's first year, and he's very focused. He's in bed by 9:30 PM every day before early tee times. It's inspiring - I need to follow that routine too," Sharma said, reflecting on their shared journey in professional golf.

A Slow Start to 2024 but an Optimistic Outlook

Despite a slow start to the season, Sharma remains confident in his game. "I've been going through equipment changes, trying different shafts and heads. But now I have a settled set of clubs, which I've used for three weeks - the longest in four months. I've shot some good rounds recently, and I know the season is a marathon. When my game and feel align, I'm confident of delivering strong performances," he noted.

Indian Golf's Growth and Future

Sharma also shared his thoughts on the growth of Indian golf, stressing that success isn't just about individual wins but about more players competing on global tours. "Since I turned pro, the number of Indian golfers on the Asian Tour has increased, and PGTI is strong. Veer and I are in Europe, and persistence is key. Once more Indian golfers break through, wins will follow," he stated.

He expressed optimism about the new generation, praising the younger players for their skills and power hitting. "The scores kids are shooting today and the distances they hit are impressive. Indian golf is on the rise, and I believe more players will make it to the big stage soon."