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Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar have earned qualification to represent India in the men's golf event at the Paris Olympics. They secured quotas after finishing among the top 60 golfers in the Olympic Golf Rankings (OGR) until the qualifying window of Monday (June 17).
Sharma and Bhullar were ranked 48th and 54th, respectively, on the latest OGR rankings and gained respective qualifications. The ranking cutoff date for men was June 17, while for women, it is June 24.
The top 15 players from the OGR qualify for the Olympics, with a maximum of four athletes per country. After that, there can be two eligible players per country, provided they don't have a representation of two or more golfers among the top 15.
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Bhullar is an experienced golfer, an 11-time Asian Tour champion and a 2006 Asian Games silver medalist. In 2013, he was also given the Arjuna Award. Meanwhile, Sharma is a two-time Asian Tour winner and had the best finish by an Indian athlete in the Open Championship 2023, when he finished T8.
Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar applaud TOPS scheme ahead of Paris Olympics
Last month, Shubhankar Sharma praised the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) initiative by the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. The scheme provides assistance to the athletes with their training and helps them participate in the top competitions so that they prepare well for a medal in the Olympics.
After being upgraded to the TOPS Core group, the 27-year-old told SAI Media:
“Few will know that golf is different in many aspects especially as far as expenses are concerned. So, any support by the government is always welcome."
With this upgrade, Sharma will be assisted in competing at nine DP World Tour events other than two Major championships – the United States Open and the British Open.
Meanwhile, Gaganjeet Bhullar was inducted directly into the core group, which left the veteran golfer impressed by the ministry's efforts. He also aspired to do well in the Paris Olympics, scheduled to take place next month. The 36-year-old told SAI Media:
“It is a proud moment for me to be included in TOPS. Though I have been supported by sponsors in the last few years, there are many elements which are left. I would like to strengthen my team with a psychologist, caddie and fitness coach."
