After an enthralling 2018, which saw India’s Shubhankar Sharma become the fifth and youngest Indian to be crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, we look ahead at the players who are likely to sparkle this year.
Shubhankar Sharma
It may seem that Shubhankar Sharma has achieved everything, with two titles on the Asian Tour and the coveted Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2018. However, for this young 22-year-old talent, it is just the tip of the iceberg.
Last year he showed the world a glimpse of his immense talent by seizing a 54-hole lead at the WGC-Mexico Championship and eventually battling to a tied-ninth finish. He also notched another top-10 finish at the CIMB Classic against a truly elite field. Playing in all four Major tournaments was another feather in his cap.
His experience playing on the international stage, as well as the exciting opportunity to rub shoulders with high-caliber players on a regular basis will bode well for Sharma in 2019. Most definitely, he’ll be among the headlines this year.
Justin Harding
When Justin Harding is on form, he is quite simply scintillating. The South African took the Asian Tour by storm at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open. He received an invitation by virtue of his good form on the Sunshine Tour, and he went on to win the tournament. A fortnight later, he won the Queen’s Cup in Pattaya and became the first golfer in Tour history to win twice in his first two starts. Harding was certainly no flash in the pants. He also made three consecutive top-10s in late September and was eventually placed third on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings. Not too bad for a rookie season. From a virtual unknown in the region, Harding has become a household name for those who follow the Asian Tour.
Now that he has a solid year of experience playing in Asia, you can be sure that Harding will be focused and raring for an even better showing in 2019.
Viraj Madappa
What a journey it has been for Viraj Madappa! The young Indian turned professional in 2017 and was enjoying a fruitful season on the Professional Golf Tour of India, finishing in the top 10 six times in 13 starts. Buoyed by his success on his local circuit, he earned a Tour card by finishing in tied-29th place at Qualifying School.
Things got even better later in the year, as he won his maiden Tour title in his rookie year at the 2018 TAKE Solutions Masters and with that, a one-year exemption on the region’s premier golf Tour.
The world has literally opened up for the young Indian.
Madappa finished 2018 on a high, evident from his tied-ninth finish at the BNI Indonesian Masters and he’ll be looking to bring his momentum over to 2019.
Sanghyun Park
Park was thrust into the proverbial limelight after putting together a winning performance at the 37th GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship. He displayed his tenacity by overcoming a four-way playoff with compatriots Yikeun Chang, Junggon Hwang and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar. This was his second GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship title, and his first win on the Asian Tour.
The Korean reiterated his dominance on home soil by finishing second at the Kolon Korea Open Golf Championship and winning the Shinhan Donghae Open.
Park brought his good form to the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup and the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, where he finished credibly in tied-fourth and tied-ninth, respectively. His performance in Japan and Chinese Taipei proved that he is also no slouch on foreign soil.
Poom Saksansin
Poom Saksansin ended 2018 the way he started the year—in the headlines. Most recently, he played his way to victory at the season-ending Bank BNI Indonesian Masters by besting a field that consisted of Major tournament winner Henrik Stenson.
In fact, it was the second time he defeated the Swede. Poom, along with Sunghoon Kang, defeated Stenson and his partner, Alexander Levy, in convincing fashion 5&4 at the 2018 EurAsia Cup. In between these events, Poom secured four top 10s, which helped him finish 13th on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity standings. Most definitely, Poom is a man for the big occasion and there’ll be plenty of chances to showcase his immense talent in 2019.
Scott Vincent
Scott Vincent has the unfortunate tag of being the best player in 2018 not to win a title. Out of 20 tournaments that he started on the Asian Tour last year, Vincent was placed in the top 10 nine times, including three runner-up finishes.
Vincent was also the highest-ranked golfer on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity standings, in fifth place, without a win. Regardless, Vincent is one of the most consistent performers on Tour. He has missed the cut only thrice throughout 2018 and topped the total birdies category at 306.
Judging by his form, his spate of near-misses will probably end in 2019.