Shubhankar makes halfway cut at British Open
Friday - July 20, 2018 10:36 pm ,
Category : SPORTS
Shubhankar makes halfway cut at British Open
Carnoustie (Scotland) July 20 (IANS) Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma improved his performance with an even-par 71 in the second round to make the halfway cut at the 147th British Open here on Thursday.
The 22-year-old who carded a two-over 73 in the opening round took his two-day total to two-over par 144 as he is to make the halfway cut which is projected to be at three-over at the Carnoustie Golf Links.
Shubhankar struggled in the front nine scoring three bogeys on the first eighth and ninth holes but made a strong comeback in the back nine.
He got a birdie on the 10th hole before getting a bogey on the 12th hole but came up with two consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th.
He completed the comeback with a birdie on the 18th and final round to earn a 71 on the second day.
"I was trying to be as comfortable as possible out there and try to be as free as I can. But deep inside I was very nervous. I struggled with every shot. At the end of the day you got to tell yourself that you re playing your own game and not think about playing in a Major championship. If you think about that you will mess it up " he said in an Asian Tour release.
"This is my favourite Major championship. I am happy to have made the cut now. This is also the first time I made the cut in a Major. This is definitely a big moment for me and it s also my 22nd birthday tomorrow. It will be a great birthday present for me for sure " he added.
"It has been great this week. I also imagined myself playing in The Open since I was a kid. This was one thing that I really want to do to tee up and play in front of these crowds. I am really happy."
Americans Zach Johnson (four-under 67) and Kevin Kisner were at the top with a total of 136 while legendary Tiger Woods got an identical 71 for the second round in a row to make the weekend cut.
--IANS pur/sed
The 22-year-old who carded a two-over 73 in the opening round took his two-day total to two-over par 144 as he is to make the halfway cut which is projected to be at three-over at the Carnoustie Golf Links.
Shubhankar struggled in the front nine scoring three bogeys on the first eighth and ninth holes but made a strong comeback in the back nine.
He got a birdie on the 10th hole before getting a bogey on the 12th hole but came up with two consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th.
He completed the comeback with a birdie on the 18th and final round to earn a 71 on the second day.
"I was trying to be as comfortable as possible out there and try to be as free as I can. But deep inside I was very nervous. I struggled with every shot. At the end of the day you got to tell yourself that you re playing your own game and not think about playing in a Major championship. If you think about that you will mess it up " he said in an Asian Tour release.
"This is my favourite Major championship. I am happy to have made the cut now. This is also the first time I made the cut in a Major. This is definitely a big moment for me and it s also my 22nd birthday tomorrow. It will be a great birthday present for me for sure " he added.
"It has been great this week. I also imagined myself playing in The Open since I was a kid. This was one thing that I really want to do to tee up and play in front of these crowds. I am really happy."
Americans Zach Johnson (four-under 67) and Kevin Kisner were at the top with a total of 136 while legendary Tiger Woods got an identical 71 for the second round in a row to make the weekend cut.
--IANS pur/sed
