Sharma ready to live dream at The Open

India's rising star Shubhankar Sharma will realise a long-time dream when he makes his debut appearance at The 147th Open at Carnoustie, which gets underway on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Sharma clinched a sensational breakthrough on the Asian Tour by winning the Joburg Open last December to earn a coveted spot for the year's third Major championship.

"That victory will stay with me for the rest of my life. It was my first win and I was literally playing 'alone' in South Africa. I will always remember the love and warmth I got from the local fans that week and, of course, the avenues it has opened up for me in life.

"Teeing it up for The Open is the best spin off. I am really excited to be here," said Sharma who was the only Indian in the 240-man field at the tri-sanctioned event in Joburg.

"Playing in The Open has been my 'only' dream, at one point of time, when I started playing golf. I have watched all the past editions on television and I would keep replaying the videos until I feel as if I have been played in The Open before," added Sharma.

Sharma will be flying the Indian flag alongside 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Anirban Lahiri at golf's oldest Major championship.