British Masters 2025: Shubhankar, Yuvraj yet to tee off as rain halts Day 1
Synopsis
Rain turned The Belfry into a waiting game on Day 1 of the British Masters — two Indians never hit a shot, play was halted multiple times including a four-hour stoppage for flooded bunkers, and Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin leads at five-under through just 13 holes. Day 2 now carries the weight of two rounds for many in the field.
Key Takeaways
Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu could not tee off on 28 August due to persistent rain and storms at The Belfry .
Play was suspended just two minutes after the day's first tee shots; a later stoppage for flooded bunkers lasted four hours and 10 minutes .
Tom McKibbin (Northern Ireland, age 23 ) leads at five-under par through 13 holes .
Joe Dean and Nacho Elvira are one shot back at four-under , both with incomplete rounds.
An early start on 29 August is expected to clear the scheduling backlog.
Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu were unable to begin their opening rounds at the Husqvarna British Masters on 28 August after persistent rain and thunderstorms brought chaos to the first day of the tournament at The Belfry, near Sutton Coldfield in England. Darkness eventually ended play with both Indians still waiting to tee off, alongside several other players in the field.
How the Day Unravelled
The disruption began almost immediately. Play was suspended just two minutes after the opening tee shots of the day, setting the tone for what would become an exercise in patience for competitors and officials alike. A brief window of 94 minutes of play followed before flooded bunkers triggered another stoppage — this one lasting four hours and 10 minutes. Further storms meant the day never recovered, and neither Sharma nor Sandhu could be sent out before darkness fell.
The tournament is hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, one of golf's most decorated champions, lending the event considerable prestige on the DP World Tour calendar.
McKibbin Sets the Early Pace
Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland emerged as the early leader, reaching five-under par through 13 holes before another storm forced yet another suspension. The 23-year-old made a composed start, standing at level par through his opening two holes when the second weather delay intervened. Once play resumed, he accelerated sharply — birdieing the par-five 15th and 17th, then holing a lengthy putt for a gain at the 18th. A superb approach at the 1st set up another birdie, and he added a further shot at the par-five 3rd to build his lead.
Leaderboard Snapshot
Englishman Joe Dean and Spain's Nacho Elvira sat one shot behind McKibbin at four-under, though neither had completed 18 holes — Dean was through 13 holes and Elvira through 12. A group at three-under included South Africa's Dylan Frittelli, Italy's Francesco Laporta, Finland's Oliver Lindell, France's Antoine Rozner, Germany's Marcel Schneider, and American Johannes Veerman.
What It Means for the Indian Duo
For Sharma and Sandhu, the washout means they will face a compressed schedule, likely needing to complete their first round and begin their second on the same day. Both will be eager to make up ground quickly in a field that has already seen front-runners establish early momentum. This is not an uncommon scenario on the European circuit's autumn swing, where English weather routinely tests scheduling flexibility — but it adds pressure on players yet to strike a single shot in competition.
Tournament officials are expected to revise the schedule overnight, with an early start on 29 August anticipated to help clear the backlog.
Point of View
Including the two Indians. Sharma, in particular, has shown the game to compete on the DP World Tour, but a compressed two-round day demands physical and mental freshness that a long wait in a rain tent does not provide. McKibbin's fast start, meanwhile, underlines a young player growing in confidence; if he completes his round early on Day 2, he could set a target that puts real pressure on the chasing pack before they have warmed up. English weather at August's end is a known variable — the question is who manages the disruption best.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu not tee off at the British Masters?
Persistent rain and thunderstorms caused multiple suspensions of play on Day 1 at The Belfry on 28 August, and darkness fell before either Indian golfer could begin their opening round. Several other players in the field were also yet to tee off.
Who is leading the Husqvarna British Masters after Day 1?
Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland leads at five-under par through 13 holes, having birdied five of his last six holes played before the final suspension. Joe Dean and Nacho Elvira are one shot back at four-under, both with incomplete rounds.
What caused the lengthy delays at The Belfry?
A combination of thunderstorms and flooded bunkers caused multiple stoppages. The most significant halt lasted four hours and 10 minutes due to flooded bunkers, and play was first suspended just two minutes after the day's opening tee shots.
Where is the British Masters 2025 being held?
The Husqvarna British Masters is being held at The Belfry, near Sutton Coldfield in England. The tournament is hosted by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo.
What happens next after the Day 1 washout?
Tournament officials are expected to schedule an early start on 29 August to clear the backlog. Players yet to begin, including Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu, will likely need to complete their first round and start their second on the same day.
