Shubhankar sets dual mission at maiden WGC event

Shubhankar Sharma has two simple goals to achieve at this week's World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and one of them is to gather enough courage and introduce himself to Tiger Woods.

The second goal is of course to keep his PGA TOUR dream alive with a strong showing at the iconic Firestone Country Club here.

The 22-year-old Indian will make his debut on Thursday in the $10 million showpiece headlined by title holder Hideki Matsuyama, World No 1 Dustin Johnson, newly-crowned Open Championship winner Francesco Molinari, 29 golfers from the top-30 of the FedExCup standings and 14-time major winner Woods, who will be playing in his first WGC event in four years.

"I'm really looking forward to the event as I've watched it on TV over the years," said Sharma.

"It's a tough set up but it is a great tournament which has celebrated great champions. Tiger has won it so many times, and then guys like Adam (Scott), Hideki and other great players have won it too, so just to be a part of that is fantastic," added the current leader of the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity standings.

Speaking of Woods, Sharma caused a few giggles when he tweeted the following message after the Open Championship: "Last word on one and the only @TigerWoods. I am yet to directly meet him. My nerves always get better of me, each time. Maybe, he will have to help me there:) A practise round will be ideal @WGC_Bridgestone, especially, looking at how it went for @F_Molinari :) @TheOpen."

Sharma hopes to have a normal conversation with Woods and not get nervous.

"I think I'll go say hi to him (Woods), but I'm a bit nervous," said Sharma, who enjoyed a practice round with Molinari, Italy's first major champion, at the Open in Carnoustie.

"He's always with someone and I don't want to disturb him but I'll definitely make it a point to say 'hi'. He's been a hero of mine growing up and it'll be great to just meet him," the 22-year-old added.