For the second time this year, India’s Shubankhar Sharma watched an opportunity for a breakthrough win turn into a learning experience.
Sharma burst onto the scene in March, taking a two-shot lead into the final round of the WGC-Mexico Championship only to fade to a tie for ninth. It was a similar story Sunday at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia, where Sharma started the final round in a three-way tie for the lead but struggled to an even-par 72 that dropped him into a tie for 10th.
“Disappointing, not really happy with the way I finished,” Sharma told reporters.
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The 22-year-old was 1 over for his first six holes, but he battled back with four straight birdies on Nos. 7-10 to get within three shots of eventual winner Marc Leishman. But his tee shot at the par-3 11th found the water, leading to the first of three straight bogeys that ended any hopes of victory.
“That was probably one of the worst swings of the day,” Sharma said. “That 11th hole I think killed the momentum for me. A par there would have gone a long way, and I probably could have made more birdies after that.”
Sharma remained optimistic this spring following his final-round fade in Mexico, and he retained a positive mindset despite a rough afternoon as he eyes upcoming starts at both the CJ Cup in South Korea and the WGC-HSBC Champions in China.
“Great experience. Very, very good to have two top-10s on the PGA Tour, so that’s a good way of looking at it,” he said. “Also, it pushes me to keep playing well. I feel like I have it in me to win out there on the PGA Tour, and I’ve given myself two opportunities. Game is in a decent place now.”
