Shubhankar Sharma accepts invitation to play in 2018 Masters Tournament

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Shubhankar Sharma can add another achievement to his rapid rise. He’s going to the Masters.

Two days after Sharma held the 54-hole lead at his first World Golf Championship, the 21-year-old from India accepted a special invitation to the Masters next month.

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Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley says the Masters has a history of inviting international players not otherwise qualified, and Sharma’s results have made him worthy of the invitation.

Sharma was outside the top 400 in the world three months ago. Now he is the only two-time winner on the European Tour this season and leads the Race to Dubai. He lost a two-shot lead in the final round of the Mexico Championship and tied for ninth. Sharma rose to a No. 66 ranking.

MORE: Shubhankar Sharma's unique journey from India to WGC Mexico

He is playing at a European/Asian tour event in India this week.

https://twitter.com/shubhankargolf/status/971071743426166784

This article was written by Doug Ferguson from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.