India's Shubhankar Sharma accepts invitation to compete in 2018 Masters Tournament

New Delhi: Young Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma has accepted an invitation to compete in the 2018 Masters Tournament, Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the American Major tournament announced.It will the 21-year-old's first Major appearance. He led at the recently concluded World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship for 54 holes before stumbling in the fourth and final round to finish tied ninth.[caption id="attachment_4339959" align="alignleft" width="380"]

File photo of Shubhankar Sharma. AFP[/caption]"Golf is a global game, and throughout our history we have extended invitations to deserving international players not otherwise qualified," Ridley said in a statement on Monday."As his results have proven, Shubhankar Sharma is a remarkable young player, and we look forward to welcoming him to Augusta National in April."Shubhankar has won twice in the past four months, at the Joburg Open in December and the Maybank Championship in February.Shubhankar will become the fourth Indian player to compete in the Masters, following Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Anirban Lahiri.Two qualification criteria remain active for this year's tournament, winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the season-ending Tour Championship and the 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the Masters.The 2018 tournament will mark the 82nd playing of the Masters and is scheduled for 2-8 April.