HORIZON IRISH OPEN

September 8, 2023

Shubhankar Sharma

The K Club, Ryder Course

Quick Quotes

Q. A 66 to go with yesterday's 65. Talk about that incredible front nine of 28, seven birdies and two pars. What were you thinking and feeling as that was unfolding?

SHUBHANKAR SHARMA: Yeah it was a really quick start. Very early morning start for us, so I was a bit sleepy in the morning. I managed to make a lot of putts on the front nine. I had nine single putts which was amazing. I don't think I've done that before.

Everything was just going nicely. I was hitting it in the right spots and I was really good inside ten feet. So it all came together.

Q. Overall, the golf course today compared to yesterday, similar conditions?

SHUBHANKAR SHARMA: Similar conditions, I'd say. Still as hot as yesterday which is quite unusual for Ireland but I quite like this weather. The greens were better today. Played in the afternoon yesterday, were a bit bumpier. It's still gettable, scoring. Are there some tough pin positions but if you're on with your putter, there will be low scores out there.

Q. You've had an interesting season, 8 of 18 cuts with this one included but two incredibly good top 10s, one in Abu Dhabi and one at The Open Championship. What's been going on?

SHUBHANKAR SHARMA: I'm actually not much of a stats guy, so I don't look at that until you told me. I'm very, very feel-based. I think at The Open, I played pretty well. I was sick last week but I have good memories from The Open and trying to continue that. Made some changes in the first half of the season and things are finally solidifying and I'm seeing the results.

Q. What you were able to do this morning compared to yesterday's efforts?

SHUBHANKAR SHARMA: Just very different days. Score-wise obviously yesterday was better with 7-under but got off to a flyer today. Made seven birdies in nine holes, which was amazing. Considering that it was a bit of a downer to finish with plus one in the last nine holes, but overall, a solid performance with 36 holes. I'm very happy.

Q. When you go out in 28, does your mind wander at all of potentially how low you could have maybe gone today?

SHUBHANKAR SHARMA: Yeah, I guess so, definitely. You know, you start expecting more. But at the end of the day, I don't think I did anything wrong on the back nine. Just made that one mistake on 17 with the bogey, but hit it in the right spots. There were some tough pin positions and gave myself enough opportunities. Could have been lower but I'm very pleased. 13-under in two days, it's a fantastic score.

Q. When you put two rounds like that together, what does that do for you confidence-wise about your game and more importantly, might that continue on the weekend?

SHUBHANKAR SHARMA: I'm very pleased and confident going into the weekend. Yes, it's the best position I could be, in and around the leaderboard. I'm in the lead now but a long way till the tournament ends. Two days left, it will be a very different ballgame. But I'm pleased with the first two days and the performance I've put up. If I can take that same confidence and good game plan and a good process, I think I'll be fine on the weekend.