Press Trust of India
New Delhi, August 5: Legendary golfer Tiger Woods is his idol and India’s boy wonder Shubham Jaglan stated Wednesday that his aim is to ‘become World No. 1’ someday and break Jack Nicklaus’ record of winning Majors.
The 10-year-old golfer touched down in the capital after a successful sojourn of the 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.
“Tiger is my idol and I have always followed his game on YouTube. My aim is to become World No. 1 and break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Major titles win,” 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. Then in the next week at the TPC Las Vegas Angel Park, Mountain course his three round total of two-under 106 was enough to help him achieve victory by five strokes.
“I am absolutely delighted to have won these two prestigious events. I had missed out last year by finishing second, which made me determined to win this time. The first victory gave me confidence to go out for another one. I’m now hungry to win more events now and better my own self each week,” stated the 10-year-old.
Jaglan said the words of India’s late President APJ Abdul Kalam inspired him to win the event at Las Vegas. “I was four strokes down on the first day. Then Amit (Luthra) sir sent me a message about APJ Kalam Sir’s death and a quote which said ‘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 that I played well to grab a five-stroke lead,” informed the youngster.
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. But more than winning tournaments, I want my child to be grounded. This is one thing I have always taught him.”
Jaglan has won over 130 tournaments in India and abroad over the past four years under the tutelage of Nonita Lall Qureshi, who also is on the coaching team.