Golfer Shubhankar aims to make it count at WGC-Bridgestone meet

India's rising star golfer Shubhankar Sharma aims to keep his PGA Tour dream alive with a strong showing at the World Golf Championships (WGC)-Bridgestone Invitational, starting on Thursday at the Firestone Country Club.

The 22-year-old knows he must pull off some great shots of his own to keep his PGA Tour dream alive at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and next week's PGA Championship.

He impressed with a tied ninth finish at the WGC-Mexico Championship in March but has yet to replicate that success in seven other tournaments Stateside, with a tied 20 spot at the Fort Worth Invitational being his best.

"It definitely is still a goal to try and earn my PGA Tour card this year but I have to play really well in the next two weeks. Playing on the PGA Tour is my aim and I want to make it there," he said, according to a release.

"It's been a breakout year where I've had the opportunity to play in different tournaments against world-class fields. It's a different feeling when you are playing with the best in the world," he added.

"I know I need to work hard to get onto a higher level. One thing for sure is I'm definitely much more comfortable playing amongst these players."

The 22-year-old will make his debut in the $10 million showpiece headlined by title holder Hideki Matsuyama, World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, newly crowned Open Championship winner Francesco Molinari, 29 golfers from the top-30 of the FedExCup standings and 14-time major winner Tiger Woods.

"I'm really looking forward to the event as I've watched it on TV over the years," said Shubhankar. 

"It's a tough set up but it is a great tournament which has celebrated great champions. Tiger has won it so many times, and then guys like Adam (Scott), Hideki and other great players have won it too, so just to be a part of that is fantastic," added the current Asian Tour leader.

Shubhankar will have compatriot Anirban Lahiri for company in this week's elite field.- IANS