Shubhankar Sharma's journey to find home-cooked vegetarian meals wherever he goes might have just led to the discovery of a future golf star for Kenya.

There's a heartwarming tale unfolding at this week's Magical Kenya Open, a DP World Tour event taking place at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi. It features India's Sharma alongside 15-year-old Shashwat Harish, a Kenyan amateur of Indian descent and the youngest competitor in the tournament.

Over the past year, Shashwat has dominated junior competitions in his country, earning him one of the amateur spots in the US$2.5 million event.

His passion for golf sparked at a young age, well before Sharma entered his life as a significant influence in 2022. When they first met, Shashwat was just 12 and playing with a handicap of 16. Fast forward two years, and he’s now at scratch level, carrying the aspirations of a nation on his shoulders.

Sharma, always friendly and approachable, gave Shashwat a glimpse into the life of a pro golfer and was there to answer all his thoughtful questions about the game. Recognizing Shashwat's talent and enthusiasm, Sharma invited him to India, offered him a place to stay in Chandigarh, and even connected him with his coach, Jesse Grewal.

None of this would have come to be if it weren't for Sharma's constant craving for homemade Indian cuisine.

In 2022, Sharma, who follows a strict vegetarian diet, reached out to some friends in London for help finding food he enjoyed while in Nairobi. After a few calls, they connected him with Harish Thyagarajan, a banker, and his wife Usha, a wildlife photographer.

That’s when he met Shashwat. While serving him sambhar rice and other South Indian dishes at their home, Shashwat went from being an excited fan to carrying Sharma’s bag for nine holes when his original caddie, Lyle, fell ill during the 2023 Kenya Open, and now he’s even competing with him as a golfer.

Shashwat loves to talk about ‘evolution,’ but this has been more like a rapid transformation.

“I met Shashwat and his family three years ago, and we’ve become really good friends since then. They took amazing care of me. He was young, and we had plenty of conversations with his parents. What really stood out was how, at such a young age, he was asking all the right questions, showing a genuine passion for golf, and was eager to work hard and improve his game,” said Sharma, currently the highest-ranked Indian male golfer in the world at No. 252 and a regular on the DP World Tour for the last seven years.

“We’ve kept in touch, and I introduced him to Jesse sir. He’s visited Chandigarh several times and stayed at our place. I’ve also stayed at their home in Kenya over the past couple of years.”

Now he’s competing in this tournament with me, and I couldn’t be prouder. I played a practice round with him, and it’s clear how much he’s improved. He’s really got his head in the game, and he’s grown both stronger and taller. It’s inspiring to hear stories like his, and I’m thrilled to be part of his journey.

I believe we’ll be seeing a lot more of him, not just in the Kenya Opens but in other Tour events too.

Shashwat, who excels in his studies and has a knack for science, gives credit to Sharma and Grewal for his progress.

“It’s incredible to have someone like Shubhankar as a mentor. I can tap into his experience and ask for advice whenever I need it,” Shashwat shared after starting his campaign on Thursday with a solid three-over 75, which is impressive considering his best score here is a 72.

“I have to say, the work I’ve done with Jesse sir has really changed the game for me. His knowledge is vast, and I appreciate how he explains the science behind the golf swing. It’s helped me understand it better and improve my game.

“This week, I’ll see Shubhankar as my competitor rather than a friend, just like he suggested. I’m not focused on scores or rankings; I just want to grow as a player. It’s a fantastic learning opportunity for me to observe these top players up close.”

Sharma welcomes the competition, as long as they keep him supplied with some rajma-chaawal.

Read Also: Towhid Hridoy's Century Against India: A Historic First for Bangladesh in ICC Tournaments

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!