Manav Shah, a California-born golfer of Gujarati origin, will tee off at Shinnecock Hills on Thursday, 19 June 2025, becoming the first player associated with the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) to compete in a Major championship. His appearance at the U.S. Open is a landmark not just for Shah personally, but for the growing ecosystem of Indian and Indian-origin talent in global golf.

Five Indian-Origin Golfers at Shinnecock Hills

Shah is one of five Indian-origin golfers in the U.S. Open field — the largest such representation at a Major in recent memory. He joins Aaron Rai, the Indo-British golfer who last month became the first Indian-origin player to win a Major with his victory at the PGA Championship; PGA Tour winners Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala; and Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju, who recorded a top-five finish at THE PLAYERS this season.

From Bakersfield's Public Courses to a Major

Shah's path to Shinnecock Hills was built on years of persistence far from the spotlight. He learned golf on public and municipal courses in Bakersfield, California, the son of parents who emigrated from India in the 1980s — his father from Gujarat, his mother from Mumbai. He enrolled at UC San Diego for the 2010–11 season before transferring to UCLA, where he played for the Bruins from 2011 to 2015, graduating with a degree in Political Science and International Relations after initially pursuing pre-medicine. Fluent in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Spanish, he turned professional in 2015.

His career spanned PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour Americas, the Korn Ferry Tour, and the PGA Tour. The defining breakthrough came in 2022 when he won a PGA Tour Latinoamérica event in Quito, Ecuador — a circuit that has since merged into PGA Tour Americas. That victory, Shah has said, validated the years of grind and opened the door to opportunities in Asia and India.

The IGPL Connection and a Fortunate Detour

Shah's bond with India deepened through the Asian Tour and, more recently, the Indian Golf Premier League, established in 2025 to create pathways for Indian and Indian-origin golfers globally. Though yet to win on the IGPL circuit, he has been among its standout performers.

Earlier this year, flight disruptions linked to the situation in the Middle East stranded Shah in India longer than planned. Rather than treat it as a setback, he used the extended stay to compete and practise on the IGPL, the Asian Development Tour, and the Asian Tour — preparation that would prove critical in the weeks ahead.

'The players on the IGPL Tour were very welcoming,' Shah said. 'It also brought me closer to my roots and closer to my culture.'

Surviving Golf's Toughest Qualifier

The U.S. Open qualifying process is widely regarded as the most demanding in the sport. Shah navigated both stages with composure, opening with a 68 at Pasatiempo Golf Club and following up with a five-under-par 137 at Dallas Athletic Club to claim one of just nine available spots for Shinnecock Hills.

His qualification is the first time any IGPL-associated player has earned a berth in a Major. Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of the IGPL and a former Asian Tour professional, called the achievement a proud moment for the league. 'Manav is a prime example of dedication and perseverance. I am sure this will inspire many other youngsters we have on the IGPL. The pathway we are creating will produce many more such stars in the years to come,' Mundy said.

What Shah Is Carrying Into the Week

During practice rounds at Shinnecock Hills, Shah has already played alongside the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, who finished runner-up when the U.S. Open was last held at the venue in 2018. Shah has kept his expectations measured, describing his goal simply: 'I want to stay calm and give my best.'

'India is very much home to me and it's amazing to be able to represent my culture at the U.S. Open,' he said — a sentiment that captures what this week means beyond the scoreboard. His tee shot on Thursday will be watched closely by a generation of Indian-origin golfers for whom a place in the Majors suddenly looks a great deal more attainable.