Akshay Sharma Clinches Third PGTI Title with Stellar Performance
Victory at the DP World Players Championship
Akshay Sharma delivered an impressive performance, scoring an error-free eight-under 64 to secure his third title on the PGTI circuit at the Rs 1 crore DP World Players Championship held at the Classic Golf & Country Club in Nuh, Haryana. The 35-year-old golfer from Chandigarh finished with a total score of 19-under 269, winning by a narrow one-shot margin.
Earnings and Rankings
This victory earned Sharma a prize of Rs 15 lakh and propelled him to fifth place in the 2026 PGTI Order of Merit, with total season earnings reaching Rs 37,12,575. Notably, this win marks his first title in over five years, following his last victory at Panchkula Golf Club in November 2020.
Sharma's Path to Triumph
Starting the final day four shots behind in a tie for third, Sharma made a remarkable comeback with a flawless round that included eight birdies. He gained momentum and took the lead on the back nine, finishing strong with consecutive birdies on the last two holes.
In contrast, overnight leader Dhruv Sheoran, who began the final round with a three-shot lead, struggled to maintain his advantage. He played the front nine at even-par, with two bogeys and two birdies. By the 10th hole, Sharma had overtaken him and continued to extend his lead.
Sheoran attempted a late comeback, scoring an eagle on the par-5 14th and a birdie on the 16th, narrowing the gap to just one shot with two holes left. However, Sharma's strong finish meant Sheoran needed an eagle on the final hole to force a playoff, but he could only manage a birdie, finishing in second place.
Sharma's Reflections on His Win
After his victory, Sharma expressed his joy, stating, "I've been working hard and had a lot of consistent finishes recently, so it feels great to finally get the win. My focus today was simple -- hit fairways and greens and stay patient."
He continued, "I started well and built momentum around the turn with a long birdie putt on the 10th. From there, I felt in control and kept giving myself chances. I knew I needed a strong finish, and the birdies on the last two holes made the difference."
Sharma also acknowledged the support he received during his comeback, saying, "This win after a long gap means a lot. I'm grateful to my sponsors and everyone who has supported me through this phase. Jeev Milkha Singh has been a huge inspiration and my hero. I thought of him while making that crucial soft putt on the 17th because that is how he putts."
Other Top Performers
Jamal Hossain, who was a co-leader after the first round, finished third with a score of 14-under 274 after carding a 69 on the final day. Mani Ram from Karnal secured fourth place at 13-under 275 with a steady round of 68.
Saptak Talwar, the leader of the PGTI Order of Merit and a previous winner this season, finished tied for 13th at seven-under 281. He earned Rs 1,51,367, bringing his total season earnings to Rs 79,03,067 and extending his lead in the merit list by over Rs 14 lakh.