Akron, Ohio …
Shabhankar Sharma wasted little time after completing the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and heading south-east to St. Louis for this week’s PGA Championship.
Sharma walked from the Firestone Country Club course at noon Sunday local time with a final round 70 for a 13-over par tally.
It was the current World No. 88 first appearance in the event and on the occasion of the final Bridgestone hosted event in Akron, Ohio.
Included in Sharma’s closing round was three birdies and just as many bogeys but with his week somewhat spoilt by a second round 79.
However, the 22-year old was pleased to have played the famed course and the tournament ahead of being replaced next year by a WGC event in Memphis.
“It was a good experience and while my play wasn’t as how I would have wanted it to be when you are playing in this strength of field the course is going to be tough and the golf course is pretty tough,” he said.
Shubhankar Sharma delights his fans on the way to the scorer’s ht on day four of the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational (Photo @tourmiss)
“If you not on the fairway off the tee it can be pretty penal, as well.
“So, I would say I learned a lot and I am happy to shoot level par today and my play was a lot more decent compared to the first three rounds.
“The good thing is that it was nice to play the course and the tournament for a first time even though it is the last staging of the event on what is an iconic golf course.
“I’ve watched this tournament often on TV so it was nice to be able to say I’ve now played the course.
Shubhankar Sharma being thanked after his final round for contesting the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. (Photo @tourmiss)
“I have been waiting for this week for some time as it has been a reward for my success earlier this year and now having played the four rounds, it has definitely lived-up to my expectations.”
Now after a first WGC – Bridgestone Invitational showing Sharma will tee-up later this week in his first PGA Championship and it will complete the set of four Majors for the double 2018 European Tour winner.
“I’m absolutely looking forward to my first PGA Championship and I have finally found something in my swing that should work, and I feel I will be totally ready come Thursday,” he said.
“Hopefully this might be me playing better from now on.
“This week is a Major Championship and you are always happy when you are playing the Majors.
And before heading to St. Louis there was a putting session on the Firestone CC practice putting green with Phil Kenyon. (Photo @tourmiss)
“I have no idea what to expect when I get to Bellerive and if anything, the set-up should be similar to here at Firestone and that seems to be what PGA Championships are like when you see them on TV.
“Hopefully, it will be something like here at Firestone and similar conditions but we’ll see how it goes.
“It means also this week I will have played all four Majors and I do feel comfortable at that level of the game and having played in The Open and big events since the Masters, I would say I am mentally comfortable playing in the Majors.
“It’s about playing my best and I know if I do play my best I can be in contention.”
Sharma met-up with putting coach, Phil Kenyon as the leaders were early into the final round before he was set to arrive in St. Louis late Sunday local US time but indicated he will not venture out to Bellerive to Monday afternoon.
And there was the great news for Sharma ahead of teeing-up on day four at Firestone in learning compatriot and good friend, Gaganjeet Bhullar breaking through to win a first European Tour title with victory in the co-sanctioned Fiji International.
“It’s great for him and great for Indian golf seeing Gaganjeet win in Fiji as he’s been out here for a long time and while it’s his first win on the European Tour, it’s his ninth pro win so very pleased for him,” said Sharma.
“Indian golf is very strong at the moment and now he’ll join us on the European Tour and that will mean three of us with SSP (Chawrasia) and Anirban (Lahiri).
“Anirban has been a flag-bearer for a few years obviously but you will see more and more players coming out of India as we have a great junior program, so all looks well in Indian golf.”
