NUH, HARYANA — In a dramatic final-round surge, Chandigarh-based golfer Akshay Sharma carded a flawless, error-free eight-under 64 to clinch the DP World PGTI Players Championship 2026. The victory, secured at the prestigious Classic Golf & Country Club in Nuh, marks Sharma’s third professional title on the PGTI circuit and his first major win in over five years.
Sharma finished with a tournament aggregate of 19-under 269, edging out overnight leader Dhruv Sheoran by a single stroke in a nail-biting finish that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final putt.
A Masterclass in Final-Round Composure
Entering the final day four shots off the lead, the 35-year-old Sharma knew he needed a monumental effort to bridge the gap. His performance was nothing short of surgical. Beginning his round with a steady focus, he began stacking birdies, moving into serious contention by the turn.
A long, momentum-shifting birdie putt on the 10th hole served as the catalyst for his back-nine charge. As his competitors grappled with the pressure, Sharma remained unflappable, sealing his triumph with back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.
The Battle for the Top Spot
The runner-up, Dhruv Sheoran (18-under 270), had held a three-shot advantage starting the day. However, a lukewarm front nine allowed the field to close in. Despite a heroic late-round fightback—highlighted by a spectacular eagle on the par-5 14th and a birdie on the 16th—Sheoran fell just short. Needing an eagle on the final hole to force a playoff, he managed only a birdie, settling for a second-place finish.
Other notable performances included Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain, who finished third at 14-under 274, and Karnal’s Mani Ram, who secured fourth place at 13-under 275.
Impact on the Order of Merit
The victory is a significant financial and professional milestone for Sharma. The Rs 15 lakh winner’s check has propelled him to fifth place on the 2026 PGTI Order of Merit, bringing his total season earnings to over Rs 37 lakh.
For a player who last tasted victory in November 2020 at the Panchkula Golf Club, this win reaffirms his status as one of India’s most resilient golfing talents. Since turning professional in 2010, Sharma has been a mainstay on the tour, but this recent “error-free” performance suggests he has reached a new level of technical maturity.
A World-Class Venue for a Premier Event
The Classic Golf & Country Club, designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, provided a fittingly challenging backdrop for the INR 1 Crore event. The course’s undulating greens and strategic bunkering tested the field’s precision, particularly as winds picked up during the earlier rounds.
The tournament was held under the aegis of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), led by its President, the legendary Kapil Dev. The event continues to highlight the growing depth of professional golf in India, as seasoned veterans like Sharma face off against a rising tide of young talent.
As the PGTI season continues, all eyes will be on Akshay Sharma to see if he can carry this momentum into the upcoming majors. For now, the golfer from Chandigarh can celebrate a hard-earned return to the pinnacle of Indian professional golf.
