Shubhankar Sharma is hoping a return to his homeland to compete alongside a global cast of stars at the inaugural DP World India Championship can bring about a much-needed big performance after a year of on-course struggles.
The two-time DP World Tour winner is among a strong contingent flying the flag for India at the brand-new landmark $4million tournament which has attracted a host of Ryder Cup and Major champions.
Since winning twice in quick succession to be crowned Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 2018, Sharma has been a consistent figure on the DP World Tour but he is facing a tall task to retain his full playing privileges.
With just this week and next week’s Genesis Championship to try and work his way up the Race to Dubai Rankings, Sharma needs a season-saving result.
Sharma, who is 185th on the Race to Dubai Rankings with the top 110 gaurenteed to retain their card, attributes his sustained struggle for form to a change to his equipment, but he is optimistic he will feel the benefit in the long run.
“I've been on a journey with my clubs this year, he said. “I changed my clubs, the clubs that I played for 10 years at least, if not more.
“So, once you change the shafts in the clubs, it takes some time to get used to them, and it's been a struggle this year with that.
“The game hasn't felt bad, but I just haven't gotten any consistency with my process on the course because it's just been a lot of change.
“But now I feel like I'm at the end of my exercise. So, if I can say, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I feel like the game is coming back now. The last two events I've been decent. I've been finding some form, some good shots on the course."
Sharma – who enjoyed a career highlight by representing India at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – endured a frustrating run of 17 missed cuts in succession from the Hero Indian Open in March through to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship earlier this month.
Joining career grand slam winner Rory McIlroy and recently crowned FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood among others, Sharma is hopeful fond memories of competing at this week’s host venue Delhi Golf Club as a junior can help inspire him.
“It’s really special, [especially] seeing the field that has come here this week,” he said.
“It's truly amazing that we have such an event in India.
“It’s an iconic venue [too]. I haven’t played here in a long time, so it was surreal to come back, and I have a lot of memories from when I used to play here as a kid.
“This place has always been a great venue for big events like this; it always holds up very nicely.”
