Hyderabad, September 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Nineteen-year-old local favourite Vishesh Sharma held his nerve in a tense final round to claim his maiden professional title at the INR 1 crore Telangana Golconda Masters at the Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA) on Friday.
Playing on his home course, Vishesh carded a one-under 69 to finish at 21-under 259, one stroke ahead of Noida’s Amardeep Malik in the 12th edition of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) event.
Vishesh, who is in his second season on the DP World PGTI, completed the tournament with rounds of 60, 66, 64 and 69. He earned INR 15 lakh from the victory.
The title propelled him from 25th to 14th in the 2026 Order of Merit, taking his season earnings to INR 30,93,550. His victory also secured his place in the DP World India Championship.
Malik, 41, mounted a strong challenge with a closing 66 to finish runner-up at 20-under 260. His final round included an eagle on the par-five sixth, six birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. He earned INR 10 lakh and climbed from 22nd to 19th in the Order of Merit, with season earnings of INR 27,75,748.
Chandigarh’s Akshay Sharma produced the lowest round of the day, matching the course record with a spectacular 10-under 60. His card featured an eagle, 10 birdies and two bogeys, including four consecutive birdies from the third to the sixth holes.
Akshay, who finished with rounds of 69, 69, 63 and 60, moved into a share of third place at 19-under 261 alongside Delhi’s Honey Baisoya.
Baisoya carded a 65 featuring seven birdies and two bogeys. He earned INR 5,49,800 and further strengthened his hold on third place in the season rankings, with total earnings of INR 57,21,892.
Vishesh started the final round with a four-shot cushion but faced considerable pressure as Malik closed the gap. His 69 included seven birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey.
“I’m over the moon. It still hasn’t completely sunk in. To claim my first professional title at 19, and to do it at my home course, makes this victory incredibly special,” Vishesh said.
The turning point came after he double-bogeyed the par-four 13th. With the lead under serious threat, Vishesh responded with consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th to regain control.
“The double bogey came down to nerves. I hit one poor shot and then attempted a recovery that wasn’t really available, so I paid the price. But the two birdies that followed helped me hold the lead,” he said.
A long lag putt on the 18th helped Vishesh safely close out the title.
“The lag putt on the 18th was particularly important and helped me finish the job,” he added.
The victory came in Vishesh’s 33rd DP World PGTI start since joining the tour last season. His previous best finish was sixth at the Boulders Classic in April.
Vishesh credited his parents, sister and coach Sanjay Singh for their support, while also thanking HGA, Boulder Hills, PGTI officials and staff, the greenkeeping team, sponsors and event partners. He said the support of his friends, club members and the home crowd provided an additional boost during the final round.
The triumph also completed a significant journey for the young golfer, who first attended a DP World PGTI event at HGA as a junior in 2021.
“I remember watching many top players that week. To have watched the professionals here as a youngster, then compete on the same course and now win a title is difficult to put into perspective,” Vishesh said.
Chandigarh’s Angad Cheema finished fifth at 15-under 265 after rounds of 66, 67, 66 and 66. Ajeetesh Sandhu was sixth at 14-under 266, while Delhi’s Rashid Khan and Kshitij Naveed Kaul shared seventh at 13-under 267.
Defending champion Jamal Hossain of Bangladesh finished tied 30th at two-under 278. His final round included a hole-in-one on the par-three third, the fourth ace of the week.
Earlier in the tournament, Abhinav Lohan and Anshul Kabthiyal had recorded aces on the par-three 11th during the second round, while Harman Sachdeva achieved a hole-in-one on the par-three seventh.
Current DP World PGTI Rankings leader Saptak Talwar, who spent the summer competing on the HotelPlanner Tour, finished alone in 11th at 11-under 269 after rounds of 70, 67, 61 and 71.
Talwar earned INR 1,84,700, extending his lead at the top of the rankings and taking his season earnings to INR 89,32,384.
The Race to India Championship will determine the DP World PGTI’s season-ending number one player as well as the top 24 players from the Order of Merit who will qualify for the India Championship.
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