Shubhankar Sharma recorded the best result by an Indian golfer at the Open after finishing in tied-eighth position at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Merseyside, England on Sunday.

The Open Championship golf, also called the British Open, is the oldest and most prestigious golf tournament in the world. It is one of the four majors and is part of the PGA Tour.

The 27-year-old Shubhankar Sharma, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, carded 68-71-70-70 to finish five under par in the tournament marked by unabating rain.

Jyoti Randhawa held the previous record for the best finish by an Indian golfer at the Open with tied-27th at Troon in 2004.

The best finish by an Indian at a men’s major belongs to Anirban Lahiri. He finished tied fifth at the PGA Championship in Wisconsin, USA in 2015.

Shubhankar Sharma’s T-8 result at the 151st Open was only the third time an Indian finished in the top-10 in a golf major. Apart from Anirban Lahiri’s T-5 in 2015, Jeev Milkha Singh finished T-9 at the 2008 PGA Championship in Michigan, USA.

Brian Harman of the USA won the Open Championship 2023 with a score of 13 under (67-65-69-70). It was his third PGA Tour title and his career’s first major. Harman finished six strokes ahead of Tom Kim of the Republic of Korea.

In tough and windy conditions, Shubhankar Sharma’s run at the Open was highlighted by a tied fourth position after the second round and an eagle on the fifth hole in the third round.

His strongest performance, perhaps, came on the last day. Starting tied ninth, Shubhankar Sharma was the only player to enjoy a bogey-free round – that included a birdie on the 14th hole – thus gaining a place to finish the major in T-8.

“I am just happy,” Shubhankar Sharma said. “I don’t like to talk much about my own game, but I am very proud of what I managed to accomplish today… This was probably the best round of golf that I have ever played in my life.”

Courtesy of the top 10 finish, Shubhankar Sharma has earned an invitation to play at the Open next year at Troon.