Legendary golfer Tiger Woods is his idol and India's boy wonder Shubham Jaglan says his aim is to "become world number one" some day and break Jack Nicklaus' record of winning Majors
New Delhi: Legendary golfer Tiger Woods is his idol and India's boy wonder Shubham Jaglan says his aim is to "become world number one" some day and break Jack Nicklaus' record of winning Majors. The 10-year-old golfer touched down in the capital after a successful sojourn of Scotland and USA where he won two prestigious titles at the IMG Academy Junior World Championships in San Diego followed by the World Stars of Junior Golf in Las Vegas.
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"Tiger is my idol and I have always followed his game on Youtube. My aim is to become world no. one and break Jack Nicklaus 18-Major title," Jaglan said. In the Junior World Championships played at the majestic Welk Resort Fountains Course, Shubham shot a three-day total of seven-under par 179 to complete a one stroke victory over
Jeffrey Yu Guan of Australia. He shot as many as thirteen birdies over the week which, even though wasn't the most, demonstrated a consistent game with amazing control over his emotions under pressure.
He wasn't to be satisfied with a single victory and teed off at the TPC Las Vegas Angel Park, Mountain course for the World Stars of Junior Golf Tournament the following week. His three round total of two-under 106 was enough to wrap up the title by a commanding five strokes. Commenting on his victories Shubham said, "I am
absolutely delighted to have won these two prestigious events. I had missed out last year by finishing second, which made me more determined to get better and win this year. The first victory gave me real confidence to go out win another one. I'm now even more hungry to go out and win more events and better my own self with every passing week."
The 10-year-old was inspired by India's late President APJ Abdul Kalam. "Going into the tournament I had the goal to win. When I was playing in Vegas, Amit Sir sent me a message about APJ Kalam Sir's death and a quote saying 'Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep'. I was so inspired by the line. I was four shots behind on the day and the next day, I went on to take a five-shot lead."
The son of a milkman from rural Haryana, Jaglan was taken under the wings of the Golf Foundation pioneered by Arjuna Awardee and Asian Games gold medallist Amit Luthra. Jaglan's father Joginder said, "I am very proud of him. Any parent would feel that way if his kid is doing well. More than winning tournaments, I want my child to be grounded. This is one thing I have always taught him."
Former national champion Nonita Lall Qureshi, also Jaglan's coach since he was seven, was impressed with his hard work. "The amount of hard work and efforts he puts in is commendable. He is a mindful kid with realistic dreams. He knows that he cannot win every time but still you need to give your best. "I have seen him growing not only as a player but as a person. He has matured a lot." Jaglan has won over 130 tournaments in India and abroad over the past four years under the tutelage of his coach Nonita Lall Qureshi.