Shubhankar Sharma, Several Indian-Origin Players To Vie For 152nd Open At Royal Troon

Shubhankar Sharma will be the only Indian passport holder teeing off at the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon, Scotland on Thursday even as several Indian-origin players, including Akshay Bhatia, would aim to hold aloft the Claret Jug at the oldest Major over the weekend. Last year Sharma finished tied-eighth at Royal Liverpool for the best-ever finish by an Indian at the British Open. Apart from Sharma, the other Indian touch at Liverpool was Sahith Theegala, who missed the cut. However, this time around, there is a strong Indian flavour in the field, including Theegala, one of the most exciting young stars, Bhatia, the left-hander who defied the popular norm of playing college before turning pro, and Aaron Rai, whose habit of wearing gloves on both hands, turns head in the golfing world.

The trio of Theegala, Bhatia and Rai, all have Indian blood in them, though the first two represent the United States and the third is now an Englishman.

Theegala's parents grew up in Hyderabad, before making US their home, where their son became a fine golfing prospect as he swept all prestigious awards at the collegiate level. Now, he is world No. 11 and on the doorsteps of a new milestone of being the top-10 player in the world.

Bhatia chose a different path. Bypassing college golf after a chat with Phil Mickelson, the golfer, whose parents came from North India, went to mini Tour events, before winning on the Korn Ferry and finally making his way into the main PGA Tour.

Bhatia has now won twice on the PGA Tour and Mickelson speaks glowingly about this left-hander who has often said that his idol is 'Lefty' the man who has six Majors and now plays on the Liv Golf League.

Bhatia, who earned his way into the Masters by winning a