Did Sharma's Performance Lead to a T-32 Finish at the Mauritius Open While Schaper Claimed Victory?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shubhankar Sharma finished tied for 32nd at the Mauritius Open.
- Jayden Schaper won the tournament after a thrilling play-off.
- Sharma's final score was 5-under par.
- Inconsistent play affected Sharma's performance.
- Shaper's victory marked his second consecutive win.
Port Louis (Mauritius), Dec 21 (NationPress) India's Shubhankar Sharma showcased moments of brilliance alongside some costly errors, ultimately securing a tied 32nd position in the Mauritius Open. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Jayden Schaper triumphed with a thrilling victory in a play-off.
Sharma wrapped up his final round with a commendable 3-under 69, featuring multiple birdies and an eagle, but inconsistent bogeys hindered his advancement. His scorecard read 74-69-71-69, concluding the week at 5-under.
Beginning at the challenging La Réserve Links, which hosted the event for the second consecutive year, Sharma started strong with a birdie but quickly surrendered a shot on the following hole. A burst of birdie-eagle-birdie raised hopes for a comeback, yet a bogey on the par-five 15th—his third dropped shot at that hole in four days—thwarted his momentum.
He finished the 18th with a birdie, bogeyed the fourth, and exchanged a birdie on the sixth for a double bogey on the par-three seventh before closing with another birdie on the eighth.
“My game is getting back on track, but this week my tee shots weren't consistent,” commented Sharma, who recently regained his DP World Tour playing rights after a runner-up finish at Q-School. “Each time I gained momentum, I lost shots. Yet, I feel improvements are gradually coming.”
Sharma is now aiming for participation in upcoming Gulf events, including the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the Bahrain Championship.
At the top of the leaderboard, Schaper and American Ryan Gerard finished tied at 22-under after an impressive weekend on the challenging links course. Schaper concluded with rounds of 64-64, while Gerard recorded 63-66.
Both players parred the 18th on the first play-off hole, but Schaper dramatically clinched the victory on the second hole by chipping in for an eagle, marking his second win in as many outings.
“I am at a loss for words. What an incredible way to conclude a tournament,” exclaimed Schaper, moments after celebrating with his mother. “This Christmas and New Year will be unforgettable.”
The victory adds to Schaper’s impressive performance streak, with his last three finishes being second, first, and first. After winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship last week, he has successfully secured the Opening Swing of the DP World Tour and made a strong start to his 2026 season.
Gerard, who traveled nearly 10,000 miles from Florida seeking a breakthrough victory and a coveted Masters invitation, narrowly missed out. However, his runner-up finish propelled him into the top 50 of the world rankings, ensuring he will make his debut at Augusta National in April. Earlier this year, he won the Barracuda Championship, co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.