Vishesh Sharma fights off tough conditions to win Golconda Masters on home course

NEW DELHI: Two days after lifting the Golconda Masters trophy at the Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA), 19-year old Vishesh Sharma reflected on a victory that was shaped by home support, demanding course conditions and the realities of pursuing professional golf in India as a self-funded athlete.The Golconda Masters is one of the marquee events on the PGTI calendar. Vishesh’s consistency across changing conditions proved decisive as he emerged on top in a tightly contested field.“The greens were phenomenal and rolling at great speeds. The rough was up as usual, so it’s always quite a challenge around the greens,” Vishesh said. “The showers made the course play differently almost every day, so all of us had to adapt and strategise accordingly.”Although familiar with HGA, he believes the biggest advantage came not from local knowledge but from the people walking alongside him.“What was special for me this week was having my friends, family and my coach there supporting me throughout. I think that was one of the key things that helped me secure this win,” he said.The title is another significant step in the 19-year-old’s steady rise on the PGTI, but his journey has been far from glamorous. Vishesh funds his own career, managing travel and equipment.His introduction to golf was almost accidental. Growing up in Vadodara, where his father worked as a govt officer, the family took a membership at the Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club primarily for recreational activities.“We used to go there for swimming, tennis and other activities. Golf happened coincidentally. I started going to the course, played a couple of junior events and gradually got into the sport,” he recalled.That gradual progression has also shaped his perspective on success and failure. “I wouldn’t say there’s one particular week because in golf, every week teaches us something. Whether it’s a win or whether we miss the cut, we learn more about ourselves and how we can get better,” he said.The standard of Indian golf has risen noticeably this season, with stronger fields and increased prize purses following the DP World Tour’s partnership with the PGTI. “DP World being our umbrella partner doesn’t just help financially. The name itself carries a certain weight and gives players confidence to go out there and show that we can compete,” he said.Even with constant travel across the country, his preparation remains remarkably consistent. Together with his coach, Vishesh follows a structured practice routine before every event, modifying only the finer details to suit each venue.With the Golconda Masters title secured, Vishesh has reinforced his place among PGTI’s in-form golfers while underlining the determination required to succeed in a demanding individual sport.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.