Shubhankar Sharma slips to T-33 after even-par 72 in British Masters third round
Synopsis
Shubhankar Sharma's promising British Masters campaign hit a wall in round three — four birdies were wiped out by two bogeys and a double bogey, sending him tumbling from T-13 to T-33. Meanwhile, home favourite Marco Penge and defending-champion hopeful Daniel Hillier are locked together at 11-under with one round to play at The Belfry.
Key Takeaways
Shubhankar Sharma carded an even-par 72 in the third round of the Husqvarna British Masters at The Belfry .
He slipped from T-13 to T-33 , standing at 4-under for 54 holes .
Sharma's round included four birdies but also two bogeys and a double bogey .
Marco Penge and Daniel Hillier share the lead at 11-under heading into the final round.
Hillier is chasing a second title at this event, having won the 2023 edition.
Weather disruptions affected play all week; the third round was halted due to fading light on Saturday evening.
Shubhankar Sharma stumbled in the third round of the Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at The Belfry, carding an even-par 72 on Saturday to fall from T-13 to T-33 on the leaderboard. The 29-year-old Indian golfer, who had shown promise across his opening two rounds, could not sustain the momentum as costly errors undid his four birdies.
How Sharma's Round Unravelled
Sharma picked up four birdies across the round — two on each side of The Belfry — but his scorecard was also marked by two bogeys and a damaging double bogey. The net result was a level-par round that left him at 4-under overall for 54 holes, a significant drop from his halfway position.
Weather Disruptions Shape the Week
Play at The Belfry had been disrupted by adverse weather throughout the week, though Saturday saw no further delays. The second round was completed and the final group reached the sixth hole of the third round before the hooter sounded as fading light brought play to a halt in the Midlands.
Penge and Hillier Share the Lead
Marco Penge and Daniel Hillier shared the lead heading into the final round, both sitting at 11-under par. The duo resumed early on Saturday morning to complete their final four holes of round two, with Penge dropping a shot and Hillier finishing level. That gave Penge a one-shot advantage after 36 holes.
When the third round got under way at 6.31 pm, Penge quickly extended his lead to two with an 18-footer on the first hole, but Hillier — a former champion at this event, having won in 2023 — hit back swiftly. The 28-year-old New Zealander moved in front with a two-putt birdie on the par-five third after Penge found the water. The pair were level again by the fourth and both parred the fifth before play was halted for the night.
The Chasing Pack
Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin was one shot off the pace having completed the sixth hole, while Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay and South Africa's Shaun Norris were at 9-under, playing the eighth and sixth respectively when the hooter sounded.
With Sharma needing a near-flawless final round to climb back into contention, all eyes will be on whether Penge or the experienced Hillier can hold their nerve over the closing stretch at The Belfry.
Point of View
Then undone by a single high-cost hole when the pressure builds. The double bogey at The Belfry, a course that punishes wayward shots, likely cost him any realistic shot at a top-ten finish. With Penge and Hillier locked together and a chasing pack within two shots, the final round sets up as a genuine contest — but Sharma will need to produce something exceptional from T-33 to make the leaderboard relevant again.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Shubhankar Sharma perform in the British Masters third round?
Shubhankar Sharma carded an even-par 72 in the third round of the Husqvarna British Masters at The Belfry, dropping from T-13 to T-33. He made four birdies but also recorded two bogeys and a double bogey, leaving him at 4-under for 54 holes.
Who leads the Husqvarna British Masters heading into the final round?
Marco Penge and Daniel Hillier share the lead at 11-under par heading into the final round at The Belfry. Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin is one shot back in third place.
Has Daniel Hillier won the British Masters before?
Yes, Daniel Hillier won the British Masters in 2023. The New Zealander is playing his first event since The Open after a month back home, and showed no signs of rustiness as he matched Penge at the top of the leaderboard.
Why was the British Masters third round not completed on Saturday?
Play was halted on Saturday evening due to fading light in the Midlands. The final group had reached the sixth hole of the third round when the hooter sounded, meaning the round will be completed before the final round begins.
Where is the Husqvarna British Masters 2024 being held?
The Husqvarna British Masters, hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, is being held at The Belfry in England. The course is located in the Midlands and is one of the most iconic venues in European golf.
