Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sharma pleased to shoulder India's Masters hopes

Shubhankar Sharma can see the history around every corner of Augusta National, but the Indian sensation is far from daunted heading into his maiden Masters.

The 21-year-old's meteoric rankings rise earned him a rare special invitation to the first major championship of the season, and he's delighted to shoulder the expectations of a nation that has produced only three prior Masters starters.


"Obviously the pressure is a lot more and it's a very high stage, but personally I don't feel any burden," he said.

"I'm actually very happy that I'm getting a lot of attention. A lot of people back home are following me, and if I can get a good finish this weekend, maybe even win a green jacket, it will be great for the game.

"At the end of the day it's just a game and you are just trying to have fun," he added. "If my game is good enough to win here -- which I feel it is -- if I play my best, I will surely be in contention."

Sharma follows compatriots Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Anirban Lahiri in teeing it up at Augusta.

The goose bumps rose when he turned into Magnolia Lane, the short, stately drive leading to the clubhouse.

"It's the best road that I've driven on," Sharma said.

He arrived there thanks to a halcyon three months that saw him shoot from 462nd in the world rankings to as high as 64th thanks to European Tour wins at the Joburg Open and Maybank Championship along with a tie for ninth place at the elite WGC-Mexico Championship in March -- where he led by two strokes going into the final round.

The call from Augusta National came after he arrived home from Mexico -- and Sharma admitted he was amazed that tournament officials even felt they had to ask.

"There was a post on the Masters website that said Shubhankar Sharma accepts the invitation to play in the Masters. And I was like there's no question about it. Why wouldn't I accept it? I will definitely accept that."

Now ranked 72nd in the world, Sharma still tops the European Tour's Race to Dubai Standings.

And despite the impression that the pomp and pageantry of Augusta is making on him, between the ropes he has plenty of confidence.

"It's just like any other golf tournament: You play four good rounds of golf and you end up winning," he said.S

More For You

K Anis Ahmed

K Anis Ahmed’s new novel Carnivore is as imaginative as it is provocative

AMG

K Anis Ahmed’s 'Carnivore' serves up satire, class war and moral rot

From the blood-soaked backstreets of Dhaka to the polished kitchens of Manhattan’s elite, K Anis Ahmed’s new novel Carnivore is as imaginative as it is provocative. A satirical thriller steeped in class tension, culinary obsession and primal survival, Carnivore follows Kash, a Bangladeshi immigrant-turned-chef who launches a high-end restaurant serving exotic meats – only to become embroiled in a sinister world of appetite and ambition.

But this is no simple tale of knives and recipes. Ahmed – a seasoned journalist, publisher, and president of PEN Bangladesh – brings a sharp eye to the grotesqueries of power and privilege. In this exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, he speaks about his passion for food, the moral murkiness of his characters, and why even the most ordinary people can spiral into extraordinary darkness.

Keep ReadingShow less
Turkey wildfires 2025

The Turkey wildfires have not been limited to Izmir

Getty Images

Turkey wildfires disrupt travel as Izmir airport closes

Key points

  • Tourists stranded after Foça wildfire halts flights at Izmir airport
  • At least 550 people evacuated from homes in the region
  • Over 600 personnel deployed to contain the blaze
  • Strong winds and heat raise risk of further fires

Wildfires force airport shutdown in Turkish holiday hotspot

Hundreds of UK tourists, including several from Glasgow, have been left stranded after major wildfires swept through a popular holiday destination in western Turkey, forcing the closure of Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.

The blaze broke out in the resort town of Foça, near Izmir, and was rapidly intensified by strong winds, prompting large-scale evacuations and flight disruptions. All operations at the airport were suspended from 4 pm local time due to ongoing extinguishing efforts, with multiple flights reportedly diverted.

Keep ReadingShow less
Covid inquiry begins probe into care home deaths

FILE PHOTO: A mother and daughter sit atop the Covid memorial wall on September 9, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Covid inquiry begins probe into care home deaths

THE Covid inquiry has started examining how the pandemic affected care services for older and disabled people, with families describing the crisis as one of the worst failures of the pandemic.

Nearly 46,000 care home residents died with Covid in England and Wales between March 2020 and January 2022, with many deaths happening in the first weeks of the outbreak.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson attends the "Jurassic World Rebirth" photocall

Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson calls out Hollywood’s history of hypersexualising young women

Quick highlights:

  • Scarlett Johansson says early roles focused on “desirability” and male-centred narratives
  • Notes positive shift in how women are portrayed in Hollywood today
  • Recalls being hypersexualised and typecast as a young actress
  • Currently stars in The Phoenician Scheme, with Jurassic World Rebirth out on 2 July

Scarlett Johansson has reflected on how Hollywood roles for women have evolved, admitting that early in her career, most of her characters were written to serve male-driven storylines. Speaking in an interview, the actress said the landscape has changed, with more nuanced opportunities for women on screen.

Keep ReadingShow less
Azhar Mahmood

Mahmood, a pace bowling allrounder, played 143 one-day internationals and 21 Tests for Pakistan. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Azhar Mahmood named interim red-ball head coach of Pakistan

PAKISTAN on Monday appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the interim head coach of the men’s Test team. He is the fourth person to hold the position in the past 18 months.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the 50-year-old will remain in the role until January.

Keep ReadingShow less