Scottish golf apparel brand Glenmuir has announced the signing of DP World Tour player Shubhankar Sharma to its global roster of leading professionals wearing its apparel on Tour.
Sharma, India’s youngest ever winner on the Europe’s top tier circuit, is the latest addition to the #GolfersOfGlenmuir family, which also includes PGA Tour player Aaron Rai with his trusty MacWet golf rain gloves, European Tour stalwart and multiple winner Stephen Gallacher, Ladies European Tour winner Carmen Alonso, LET Rookie Clara Young, and European Tour Rookie Jeremy Freiburghaus.
The 27-year-old from Jhansi has eight professional wins to his name, six of which were on the Professional Golf Tour of India, although he made his breakthrough on the European Tour in 2017 when winning the JoBurg Open, aged just 21. Just two months later he chalked up his second European Tour victory when shooting a final round 62 to win the 2018 Maybank Championship in Malaysia.
Currently ranked 188th in the world ranking, Sharma finished tied 8th in last year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, in what was only his third appearance at golf’s oldest Major.
Sharma will be wearing a range of apparel from Glenmuir’s latest SS24 collection while he competes on his global schedule in 2024. He is currently wearing the TORRANCE and SILLOTH performance shirts, known for their breathability and flexibility, while Glenmuir’s design team has embroidered the chakra from the Indian flag onto his COWAN performance cap.
Glenmuir caught up with Sharma while he was out in Singapore preparing for the Singapore Classic, where he finished tied seventh, and the Indian Open, which taking place at the DLF Golf Club in Delhi later this week.
When did you first start playing golf?
I started playing golf in 2002. My dad bought a second-hand car and there was an old set of clubs in the boot which the owner didn’t want. So, my father bought the golf set also. Both of us started on the same day and I fell in love instantly with the game and have never looked back after that.
What was golf like growing up in India?
My dad was in the Indian Army, and I was very lucky that all Army stations that he was posted at had golf courses. Growing up I was very intrigued by the technicalities of the golf swing and would practice for hours every day after school trying to get the right positions and strike on the ball. I read every instruction article in Golf Digest magazine and got hold of every coaching CD I could find. They were fun times and I got better very quickly once I started competing on the national junior circuit. There were many juniors much better than me which kept me hungry to get better every day.
What does the golf industry look like in India today and how can we grow the game there and produce the next Shubhankar Sharma?
Golf is one of the fastest growing sports in India. We have many good players on the international tours with multiple wins over the years. More people are joining golf courses, and the industry is growing every year.
Also, India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and people want to invest time and money into a sport like golf. This makes for an exciting time for juniors to take up the game which is already happening in all the big cities.
The next step for us would be to build range facilities in the smaller towns and make the game more accessible to everyone. I feel that the present government is taking a lot of interest in an Olympic sport like golf and will be influential in growing golf infrastructure all over India.
You’ve won twice on what is now called the DP World Tour. Which meant the most to you?
It would be the Joburg Open. I didn’t have a card on tour and played that event from the Asian Tour side as it was a co-sanctioned event back then. I just remember being really calm that week and even when the finish got pushed to Monday I was in the zone and had a great finish to the event which I was very proud of. That changed everything for me.
What is your favourite golf course in the world and why?
Tough to pick one, but Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland would be one of the best courses I’ve ever played. I love links golf and played in The Open Championship when it was held there in 2019.
What is your favourite club in the bag and why?
My favourite golf club is the 2-iron. My first ever club was a cut down 2-iron and it remains my favourite to this day. Maybe it’s comfort thing, maybe a bit of nostalgia, but it remains my favourite.
What equipment are you currently using?
I play a blended set of clubs with several different brands which I am comfortable with. At the moment I am using a Titleist TSR 3 driver, TaylorMade Sim Max 3-wood, Srixon 2-iron, Titleist CB 714 irons (3-PW), Titleist SM8 wedges (50, 56, 60), and a TaylorMade Truss putter.
You used to be a Nike sponsored athlete, can you tell us a bit about why you moved to Glenmuir?
I had a great relationship with Nike for the past six years and they were really good to me. It just felt like a good time to try something different. I love Glenmuir as a brand. The clothes have a very sharp, elegant and classic appearance, and with the company’s managing director Mikhel Ruia having Indian roots, it felt just right to work with the brand. I’ve heard a lot about Glenmuir’s men’s golf knitwear and am looking forward to wearing it during the season in mainland Europe. They are one of the oldest golf clothing brands with a history of over 130 years and are also Ryder Cup partners.