Gritty Shubhankar Sharma qualifies for US Open

TIL Desk Sports/ Shubhankar Sharma’s magnificent year continued as the Indian grabbed a spot in next week’s US Open Golf Championships with a solid display of 69-68 in the qualifiers, in Columbus. The prestigious tournament will be held at the the Shinnecock Hills.

In the qualifiers held at Brookside GCC and Lakes Golf and Country Club, the 21-year-old finished tied fifth. However, the two other Indians in the fray — Shiv Kapur — playing the qualifier in Surrey — Arjun Atwal playing in Tennessee — failed to earn a spot.

“It was a great day for me. It was a long one with 36 holes but I am glad I played the Brookside in the morning as it is tougher with smaller greens. I grinded it out for a 69,” a thrilled Shubhankar said. “But it was nervy ending on the 18th (in the second round). I hit to the left off the tee and it took a bad bounce and it went into the rough. I had a terrible lie and I had to hit with one foot in the bunker with 150 yards to the front of the green,” he added.

“I hit a 9-Iron, which stayed short and again in the rough, thick lie. But I made a great up and down. I hit a good chip to 10 feet and holed it for par. At that stage I did not know the scores and felt that I needed to make par to have any chance.” Shubhankar has already played the Masters this year on a special invite and has now qualified for the US Open.