Akshay Sharma carded an error-free eight-under 64 to claim his third DP World PGTI title at the INR 1 crore DP World Players Championship played at the Classic Golf & Country Club in Nuh, Haryana.
Related: Dhruv Sheoran builds on lead at DP World Players Championship
The 35-year-old (70-65-70-64) emerged victorious by a slender one-shot margin at 19-under 269. The win earned Sharma INR 15 lakh and lifted him to fifth on the 2026 DP World PGTI Order of Merit with season earnings of INR 37,12,575.
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The victory marked his first title in over five years, since his last win at Panchkula Golf Club in November 2020, capping a period of consistent performances.
Overnight leader Dhruv Sheoran (69-66-66-69) finished runner-up at 18-under 270 after starting the final round with a three-shot advantage.
Sharma began the day four shots behind in tied third but surged into contention with a flawless round that featured eight birdies. He steadily built momentum and moved into the lead by the back nine, before sealing the win with back-to-back birdies on the closing two holes.
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Sheoran, meanwhile, struggled to maintain his advantage early in the round, playing his front nine at even-par with two bogeys and two birdies. Sharma overtook him by the 10th hole and extended his lead with further gains.
Sheoran staged a late fightback with an eagle on the par-5 14th followed by a birdie on the 16th to close the gap to one shot with two holes remaining. However, Akshay’s strong finish left Sheoran needing an eagle on the final hole to force a playoff. He managed only a birdie to settle for second place.
With the runner-up finish, Sheoran earned INR 10 lakh and climbed from 13th to eighth on the Order of Merit with total earnings of INR 28,74,583.
Reflecting on his round, Sharma said, “I’ve been working hard and had a lot of consistent finishes recently, so it feels great to finally get the win. My focus today was simple — hit fairways and greens and stay patient.”
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He added, “I started well and built momentum around the turn with a long birdie putt on the 10th. From there, I felt in control and kept giving myself chances. I knew I needed a strong finish, and the birdies on the last two holes made the difference.”
Sharma also acknowledged the support system behind his comeback. “This win after a long gap means a lot. I’m grateful to my sponsors and everyone who has supported me through this phase. Mr Jeev Milkha Singh has been a huge inspiration and my hero. I thought of him while making that crucial soft putt on the 17th because that is how he putts,” he said.
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Jamal Hossain (67-70-68-69), a co-leader after round one, finished third at 14-under 274 after carding a 69 on day four.
Mani Ram (69-68-70-68) secured fourth place at 13-under 275 with another steady round of 68.
