Greater Noida, 8 October 2026: Shubhankar Sharma shot a seven-under-par 65 to open a four-shot lead after the second round of the Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort on Thursday.
The 30-year-old from Chandigarh, who began the day two shots behind overnight leader Shaurya Bhattacharya, made an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys to reach 11-under 133 (68-65) in the INR 2 crore event.
Shubhankar is a two-time winner on the DP World Tour. He won the Boulders Classic on the DP World PGTI in April, his first professional title in eight years.
Brashwarpal Singh climbs to second
Chandigarh’s Brashwarpal Singh matched Shubhankar’s 65, the lowest score of the day, with eight birdies and a single bogey. He moved from tied 11th to second at seven-under 137 (72-65).
Bhattacharya (66-72) of Delhi slipped to third at six-under 138 after an even-par 72 with three birdies and three bogeys.
Bengaluru’s Khalin Joshi (72-67), a four-time winner on the tour this season, rose from tied 11th to fourth at five-under 139. His 67 included an eagle on the par-five fourth, five birdies and two bogeys. Joshi began the week second in the Race to DP World India Championship.
Yuvraj Sandhu (71-69), last season’s DP World PGTI Order of Merit winner, is fifth at four-under 140. Saptak Talwar, who leads the Race to DP World India Championship, moved from tied 36th to tied 31st at three-over 147 (75-72).
Eagle on the fourth
The best moment of Shubhankar’s round came on the par-five fourth. After finding the left side of the fairway, he hit a six-iron from about 212 yards to 18 feet and holed the eagle putt.
“I played really well and felt very solid throughout the round,” he said. “My ball-striking had not been at its best over the past few weeks, even though there was not much wrong with my game. Today, everything came together.
“I hit the ball exactly where I wanted, shaped shots both ways and felt in complete control. I could have holed a few more putts, but I’m very pleased with the day.”
On the 18th he hit his approach to about five feet but missed the birdie putt. “There were several shots like that today,” he said. “Those are positive signs for this tournament and also for my preparations for next week.”
Praise for Kapil Dev
Shubhankar also spoke about the changes on the tour under DP World PGTI President Kapil Dev, with whom he recently played in a pro-am in Hyderabad.
“Since Mr Kapil Dev became President, more sponsors have come on board, while the organisation, social media and player facilities have continued to improve,” he said. “The introduction of a players’ lounge is one example of the many positive changes on tour.”
The two share a Chandigarh connection. “Despite being one of India’s biggest sporting icons, he constantly looks for ways to promote golf and move the sport forward,” Shubhankar said. “Everyone in Chandigarh calls him ‘Paaji’, so speaking with him feels very easy.”
Shubhankar and amateur Rajeev Gupta also won Thursday’s pro-am with 48 Stableford points.
The Kapil Dev Invitational is the final qualifying event of the Race to DP World India Championship. The top 24 in the standings at the end of the week earn places in the US$4 million DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club, which starts on 15 October. Read the first-round report.
