Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Shubhankar wants to sign-off breakthrough season in style at Indonesian Masters

After a satisfying season, newly-crowned Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Shubhankar Sharma wants to end the year on a high with another creditable performance at the BNI Indonesian Masters starting on Thursday (13).

Sharma's glorious run this season started with his second Asian Tour win in Malaysia in February followed by a tied-ninth finish at the World Golf Championships in Mexico in March, where he led in the second and third rounds.


He went on to play in all four Major championships this year and his season was further sweetened by three top-10s in India, Malaysia and Hong Kong which would eventually give him an unassailable lead on the Habitat for Humanity Standings.

"To be honest, I've been expecting too much from myself this year and it has been a numbers game from Asia to Europe and right up to the Majors," said Shubhankar.

"But after the Maybank Championship in Malaysia, I had a good lead on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and I really wanted to finish right on top.

"Now that I've done it, I'm feeling very relaxed. You always want to play well in every event that you play in and for this week, I want to give my best shot and try to win," said the 22-year-old, who was named the Rookie of the Year on the European Tour.

Shubhankar, who is the fifth and youngest Indian to win the coveted Asian Tour Order of Merit, said it was a satisfying season.

"It's very satisfying as I've done what I've set out to do and I'm really happy. Winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit means a lot to me as it's what all of us want to do," said the Indian, who won the 2018 Maybank Championship and the 2017 JoBurg Open.

Talking about the tournament beginning at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club,  Shubhankar said: "Obviously, I've played on this course many times and I do know a few things about this track. But I'm looking forward to playing well and having a good week.

"This is our home Tour and this is where we all start. This is the last event of the year on the Asian Tour and I want to play my best and sign off what has already been a very satisfying year."

More For You

Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn: Are ageing stars hurting Bollywood’s future?

Akshay Kumar (L) and Ajay Devgn

Getty Images

Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn: Are ageing stars hurting Bollywood’s future?

THE string of disastrous Bollywood films headlined by Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn in recent years has become a running joke.

With Hindi cinema going through arguably its worst phase in history, the two ageing actors prioritising quantity over quality has only added to the industry’s troubles. Both have continued their woeful run of failures by starting 2025 with flops Azaad and Sky Force.

Keep ReadingShow less
India cuts bourbon whisky tariffs after US pressure

FILE PHOTO: Jim Beam bourbon is shown in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

India cuts bourbon whisky tariffs after US pressure

INDIA has slashed tariffs on bourbon whisky to 100 per cent from 150 per cent, a move that will benefit imports of brands like Suntory's Jim Beam, after US president Donald Trump's criticised "unfair" levies in the South Asian market.

Trump, who met Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the White House this week, has railed against the climate for American businesses in India and unveiled a roadmap for reciprocal tariffs on countries that put duties on US imports.

Keep ReadingShow less
AA Dhand: ‘My hero Virdee is inspired by the Dirty Harrys of this world’

AA Dhand

BBC

AA Dhand: ‘My hero Virdee is inspired by the Dirty Harrys of this world’

THE BBC’s new six-part crime drama, Virdee, which began transmission on Monday (10), is making history as it is the first of its kind, with a diverse British Asian cast. It is also very much author AA Dhand’s baby. The credits state that it was “created and written by AA Dhand”; is “based on City of Sinners by AA Dhand”; and Dhand is also its executive producer, along with Paul Trijbits.

The drama is named after its eponymous hero, Detective Chief Inspector Hardeep Virdee, a clean-shaven Sikh who prefers to be addressed as “Harry”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Will 'Bridgerton' season 4 have the biggest twists so far? Here’s what the sneak peak reveals!

A glimpse into Bridgerton Season 4: Romance, drama, and intrigue await in the highly anticipated new chapter

Instagram/bridgertonnetflix

Will 'Bridgerton' season 4 have the biggest twists so far? Here’s what the sneak peak reveals!

Netflix has given fans a tantalising glimpse into the upcoming fourth season of Bridgerton, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The sneak peek, shared on February 14, gives us behind-the-scenes moments and fresh footage from the new episodes, which are currently in production. The season will centre on Benedict Bridgerton played by Luke Thompson, the free-spirited second son of the Bridgerton family, as he navigates love and societal expectations. His story takes a dramatic turn when he encounters the enigmatic “Lady in Silver,” Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha, at a lavish masquerade ball hosted by his mother.

The teaser also introduces three new characters: Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung) and her daughters, Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and Posy Li (Isabella Wei), who are set to stir up the marriage market. Familiar faces will also return, including Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, and Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton. Fans of Penelope and Colin will be pleased to see them back, with a still image hinting at their growing family.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chila Burman casts ‘neon’ light on Indian migration stories

Chila Burman shows her work in tapestry

Chila Burman casts ‘neon’ light on Indian migration stories

CHILA BURMAN, who lit up Tate Britain during the dark days of the Covid pandemic in 2020 and the West End of London last year, has now put her trademark tiger on the quayside façade of the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester.

For her new commission, called Chila Welcomes You, the artist has brought her personal perspective to “the heritage of conflict and stories of Indian migration to Britain after the Second World War”.

Keep ReadingShow less