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 here. In the event held at Brookside GCC and Lakes Golf and Country Club, the 21-year-old was tied fifth.
Shiv Kapur, playing the qualifier at Walton Heath, Surrey, and Arjun Atwal, playing in Tennessee, failed to earn a spot.
A thrilled Shubhankar said, “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.”
Shubhankar now needs to stay in top-100 to play the last Major, the PGA Championships.
Shrugging aside the disappointment of missing the cut at the Memorial, Sharma shot 3-under 69 with six birdies and three bogeys in the first round.
In the second round he was all aggression as he eagled the par-5 third and added birdies on fifth and seventh and turned in 4-under for the round and 7-under for the qualifiers.