Standout shows by Grillo, Sharma

Emilliano Grillo has been simply brilliant on the first two days. But even then the second day belonged to Shubhankar Sharma, whose 64 set a new course record. It is simply unimaginable that somebody can shoot 64 and 65 at this course, but that’s what Grillo and Sharma have done.

One would never realise an 11-under par score is possible at the DLF Golf & Country Club.

Grillo has got there in 36 holes and if he manages to keep going like this, it would impossible to take him on. Yet, Sharma made that look possible with his 64 that followed his first day 73. That first round could also be a result of jet lag as he flew back from WGC Mexico where he had a Top-10 finish.

Grillo was the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016 and considered one of the brightest stars in the game. He should soon be among the big stars on the PGA, where he won on his debut appearance in 2016.

If Grillo is a star who has achieved some success, that same success is not far for Shubhankar. He showed us why he is the hottest golfer right now. Rounds of 61 at Joburg and then 62 in Kuala Lumpur and then 65-66 in Mexico followed by 64 means he is really hungry and playing absolutely great golf. I did not get to see much of Sharma’s round as I was on the course myself, but the other guys could not stop gushing about it. His ball-striking is brilliant and so is his putting. He will go very far.

India’s new generation of golfers like Khalin Joshi (25 years), amateur Naveed Kaul and Karandeep Kochar (both 18) and Ajeetesh (29) and Udayan Mane (25) are all great prospects. Anirban at 30 has also a great career ahead of him.

As for myself, I had chances of making the weekend after first eight holes on the back nine, but then it went downhill and it is an early exit. But the Hero Indian Open means so much to me that I still want to come back and play it.