Crans-Montana, September 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s Shubhankar Sharma remained inside the top 10 at the halfway stage of the European Masters despite dropping three bogeys over his final six holes at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club on Saturday.
The 30-year-old, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, carded a 2-under 68 in the second round. He made three birdies on either side of the course and four bogeys, with three of the dropped shots coming on the back nine.
Combined with his opening-round 6-under 64, Sharma is 8-under after 36 holes and tied for eighth, with two rounds remaining.
India’s other participant, Yuvraj Sandhu, produced a remarkable turnaround with a 5-under 65, improving by 12 shots from his opening-round 77. However, the effort was not enough to make the cut.
For Sharma, the tournament is particularly important as he continues his bid to move from 179th place into the top 100 of the rankings and secure his DP World Tour card for 2027.
Defending champion Thriston Lawrence of South Africa took control of the tournament with a brilliant second-round 63. Starting the day one shot off the lead, Lawrence produced a bogey-free card featuring seven birdies to reach 13-under after 36 holes and move two shots clear of the field.
Lawrence began his round on the 10th tee and had to wait until the par-three 13th for his first birdie. He then found his rhythm, with a birdie at the 16th sparking a run of six consecutive birdies around the turn.
The five-time DP World Tour winner also made a crucial par save at the fifth after holing his fourth shot from a bunker following an unsuccessful attempt with the putter. He closed with a series of pars to complete a flawless round.
Lawrence is now well placed to claim a third European Masters title. He won by two strokes last year after also triumphing in 2022, making him a two-time champion at Crans-Montana.
Spain’s Nacho Elvira matched his best round in more than three years with a 62 to move into a tie for second, two shots behind Lawrence, alongside Germany’s Jeremy Paul.
Japan’s Keita Nakajima carded a bogey-free 63 to take outright fourth place. Rafa Cabrera Bello, who has been using clubs previously owned by Adam Scott after his own set failed to arrive in Crans-Montana, shares fifth place with China’s Ashun Wu and England’s Paul Casey.
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