Carnoustie (Scotland): Emerging star Shubhankar Sharma presented himself a birthday gift by becoming the youngest Indian golfer to make the cut in any Major but Anirban Lahiri failed to progress at The Open Championships here, Friday
Hanging by a thread till the final putt on the 18th, Sharma capped a wonderful back nine to snatch a birdie and make the halfway cut, a day before his 22nd birthday. With rounds of 73-71 Sharma ended the day at two-over 144 and confirmed his place for the weekend.
Lahiri ended a very disappointing week with just one birdie in 36 holes as he added 74 to his first 76 and finished eight-over to exit early.
Before leaving Lahiri wished Sharma luck and said, “It is always a big moment when you play the weekend at the Major for the first time. He has gone through a tough time recently and I am sure he will do well. This is a great birthday present for him.”
Meanwhile Sharma couldn’t hide his joy at making the cut. “I am so, so excited right now. At the 18th I still thought I just needed to make a par because so many players have yet to finish. After the putt dropped I was definitely very happy. I have never played in such wet and cold conditions, changing towels and gloves so often,” he added.
No doubt I’m very happy at making the cut at The Open. However, I still have two rounds to play and I want to make an impression there
Shubhankar Sharma
The 2007 Masters and 2015 Open champion Zach Johnson rose to the top of the leaderboard after a splendid four-under 67 in testing conditions when wind and rain both hampered the players in the morning.
There were many giants to fall due to the testing conditions. World No.1 Dustin Johnson exited with rounds of 76-72, as did two-time Masters champion, Bubba Watson (75-73), but Tiger Woods fought his way with 71-71 and was in the middle of the pack at even par for two rounds. Rory McIlroy (69-69) was tied seventh alongside Erik Van Rooyen (71), Matt Kuchar (68) and Xander Schauffele.
Sharma, who earlier in the year missed cuts at Masters and US Open, said he would celebrate the achievement with a good meal with his dad, Col ML Sharma, coach Jesse Grewal and a few friends.
“I am sure my friends will be calling and congratulating. Making the cut at the Major, has always been my ‘dream’. This is the best birthday present I have got. But I still have two rounds to play and I want to play really well,” said the young golfer.