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Indian golfer Diksha Dagar, who is set to represent her country at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, was involved in a car accident on Tuesday night. However, despite the incident, Dagar is reportedly doing well and is expected to compete in her event as scheduled.According to Dagar's father and caddie, Colonel Naren Dagar, Diksha sustained no major injuries and is currently practicing for the Olympics. However, her mother has been hospitalized with a suspected spinal injury and will remain under observation for the next few days. The extent of her injuries will be determined after further tests and diagnosis.The accident occurred when the Dagar family's car was struck by another vehicle while returning from a function at India House. The family's driver was reportedly crossing an intersection when the light turned red, and an ambulance parked on the side obscured their view of an oncoming car. The other vehicle collided with the Dagar family's car from the side.This is Diksha Dagar's second Olympic appearance, and she is scheduled to compete in the women's golf tournament from August 7 to 10. The men's golf competition, featuring Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar, commenced on Thursday.Despite the setback, Diksha Dagar remains determined to perform well at the Olympics. Her father expressed confidence in her ability to overcome this adversity and represent India with pride.

Aditi Ashok, India's top female golfer, is gearing up for her third Olympic Games in Paris. Having competed in two previous Olympics, she is determined to make the most of this opportunity.Ashok's journey to the Olympics began at the age of 14 when she set her sights on Rio 2016. She worked tirelessly to improve her amateur ranking and secure sponsor invites to professional events. In Rio, she finished 41st despite being only 18 years old and having limited professional experience.In Tokyo 2020, Ashok showcased her maturity and skill, finishing fourth and narrowly missing out on a medal. This performance gave her immense confidence and proved that she could compete with the world's best.Heading into Paris 2024, Ashok is focused on her driving, which she believes is key to her success. She has been working on improving her speed and accuracy off the tee. Despite the pressure of expectations, Ashok remains composed and focused on her game plan.Ashok is excited to compete at Le Golf National, the storied venue for the Paris Olympics. She believes the course's open layout and potential for windy conditions will provide a challenging but enjoyable experience.Reflecting on her previous Olympic experiences, Ashok emphasizes the importance of staying present and committed to every shot. She believes her game is strong enough to keep her in contention and is eager to make the most of this opportunity.

Renowned clubmaker and golf coach Sundeep Verma is set to make his third Olympic Games appearance, this time as the coach of leading Indian professional Gaganjeet Bhullar at the Paris 2024 Games. Bhullar, an 11-time Asian Tour champion, will be making his Olympic debut as part of a four-member Indian golf team that also includes Shubhankar Sharma, Aditi Ashok, and Diksha Dagar.Verma, with over 25 years of experience in the golf industry, has worked with some of India's top golfers, including Jeev Milkha Singh, Anirban Lahiri, S.S.P. Chawrasia, Jyoti Randhawa, Himmat Singh Rai, Shiv Kapur, and Shubhankar Sharma. He accompanied Chawrasia to the Rio 2016 Olympics and Diksha to the Tokyo 2020 Games, playing a crucial role in their performances.Bhullar, who is eager to make a mark in his maiden Olympic appearance, expressed his confidence in Verma's guidance. "It was quite natural to pick Sundeep as my coach. He has worked with me during my early professional days and has always been a valuable source of advice. His experience at the Olympic venue and his understanding of the game will be invaluable to me. I am confident that with him on my side, I will deliver a remarkable performance in Paris," said Bhullar.Verma, who was also the coach of the Indian amateur golf team at the Eisenhower Trophy in 2022, is excited to share his knowledge and experience with Bhullar. "I am happy to be accompanying Bhullar to Paris. I would love to pass on the learnings from Rio and Tokyo to him. He is an accomplished golfer with the right temperament and attacking mindset to perform well in big events like the Olympic Games. We will give it our best shot to return with a medal from Paris," said Verma.Bhullar's participation in the Paris Olympics has been supported by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which has covered his expenses for airfare, boarding and lodging, registration fees, and training at the Olympic venue. He will depart for Paris along with Verma on July 28.

Anirban Lahiri, the Indian golf ace, has bounced back from a heartbreaking loss at the Andalucia Masters, where he missed a crucial two-foot putt that cost him the title. Despite the setback, Lahiri remains optimistic and is eager to prove himself at this week's LIV Golf UK challenge.Lahiri's resilience was evident when he was spotted practicing diligently at the JCB Golf & Country Club, even before the tournament began. When Claude Harmon III, the renowned golf coach, approached him, Lahiri joked, "Don't worry. Just practicing my two-footers!"The 37-year-old has learned a valuable lesson from his experience at Valderrama. He realized that in golf, as in life, nothing is over until it's over. "I thought it was over. It obviously wasn't," said Lahiri, referring to the missed putt that led to a playoff loss against Sergio Garcia.Lahiri admitted that he had become complacent and rushed his shot. "I hit it dead center of the cup, which wasn't the line. I didn't spend enough time, and I didn't go through my processes," he said.Despite the financial loss and the disappointment of not ending his nine-year winless streak, Lahiri remains determined. "There are a lot of things to be proud of," he said. "I put myself in a position to win again."Lahiri spent the last week in Spain with his family, which helped him refresh and refocus. He is eager to test himself again at the LIV Golf UK event. "It's just this intense eagerness that I want to test myself again," he said.Lahiri will be paired with Bryson DeChambeau and Paul Casey in the tournament, which begins on Friday. He is confident that he can overcome the challenges and emerge victorious.

Shubhankar Sharma, India's rising golf star, is brimming with confidence as he sets his sights on the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The 28-year-old, who recently finished tied 19th at the Open Championship, believes a medal is within reach.Sharma's optimism stems from his impressive performance at Royal Troon, where he battled through challenging conditions to secure a top-20 finish. The experience, he says, has put him in an "Olympics mindset.""You could not take any shot for granted at The Open last week," Sharma said. "It was a grind from the first tee shot to the last putt, and that's what I would expect at the Olympics as well."Sharma is also buoyed by his recent form, which includes a top-5 finish at the Italian Open and 15 birdies over the weekend at the Scottish Open. He attributes his improvement to hard work and a renewed focus on his game."I have started seeing the reward for those hours," Sharma said. "I'm looking forward to Le Golf National."The Le Golf National, the venue for the Olympic golf tournament, is known for its challenging layout. Sharma believes his ball-striking ability will be crucial to success there."It can easily separate the boys from men," Sharma said. "You need to be a superior ball-striker to do well there, as you needed to do at Royal Troon."Sharma is aware of the underdog status of the Indian golf team, but he is determined to make a mark."I honestly think the Olympics can create a very different kind of motivation," Sharma said. "I am very aware of what kind of a spotlight a good performance in France by any one of us would put on Indian golf."Sharma will be joined by Gaganjeet Bhullar in the men's event, while Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will represent India in the women's event. The golf competition at the Tokyo Olympics begins on Thursday, August 1.

Shubhankar Sharma, the Indian golf sensation, has turned the tables on Royal Troon Golf Club after enduring a tumultuous start to The Open Championship. On Saturday, in the third round played under relatively favorable conditions, Sharma unleashed a blistering four-under par 67, significantly improving his position heading into the final round.The conditions were a stark contrast to the relentless battering Sharma faced in the first two rounds. Thursday's rain and wind gave way to Friday's gusts reaching almost 50 kilometers per hour. Sharma's group bore the brunt of the worst weather, but he remained undeterred."I made the most of the conditions today," said Sharma. "I got off to a hot start and hit it really well. I was struggling with energy after yesterday, but I'm happy with my round."Despite the sun's absence, Sharma made hay on the course, producing eight birdies. Royal Troon remained a formidable foe, however, and a double bogey on the 15th hole was the only blemish on his day.Undeterred, Sharma responded with a spectacular 30-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole and another birdie on the 18th following a pinpoint iron shot. He also had a chance on the difficult par-3 17th hole, where his birdie putt from 19 feet shaved the cup."I'm not disappointed with the double bogey," said Sharma. "We just got a bad ruling there. I'm delighted with my score."Sharma's resilience is a testament to his character. He secured his spot at The Open this year with an eighth-place finish at Royal Liverpool last year, where he played a battling final round in heavy rain without making a single bogey."Royal Troon is a much tougher course," said Sharma. "But I'm happy I knuckled down and played well yesterday for a one-over. It makes the birthday celebrations much better than doing it after a missed cut."

The 152nd Open Championship, scheduled for July 18-21 at Royal Troon, will witness a significant increase in prize money, with the winner set to receive a record-breaking USD 3.1 million. This marks a half-a-million-dollar increase from the previous edition, bringing the total prize purse to USD 17 million.The R&A, the governing body of the Open, has emphasized the need to balance the tournament's global standing with the funding required for amateur and recreational golf development worldwide. CEO Martin Slumbers expressed concerns about the impact of substantial prize money increases on the sport's perception and long-term financial sustainability.The Open remains committed to supporting the growth of golf globally, with additional prize money being allocated if more than 70 professional golfers qualify for the final two rounds. However, prize money will decrease by USD 125 per qualifying place above 70, with a minimum of USD 37,650.Non-qualifiers will also receive financial compensation, with the leading 10 and tied professional golfers among those not making the cut receiving USD 12,350 each. The following 20 professional golfers and ties will receive USD 10,300, while the remainder and ties will get USD 8,750.The increased prize money at the Open reflects the tournament's continued status as one of the most prestigious events in golf. It also highlights the R&A's commitment to supporting the sport at all levels, while ensuring its long-term financial health.

Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev has urged Indian athletes participating in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics to perform fearlessly and expressed hope that the country will surpass its previous medal tally. India will be represented by a contingent of 117 athletes in Paris, aiming to improve upon the seven medals won in Tokyo.Dev, who is also the president of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), advised the athletes to express themselves without hesitation. He believes that India has the potential to achieve a double-digit medal count. However, he declined to comment on Indian cricket and the newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir.Dev expressed his optimism for the growth of golf in India, recalling his own experience playing amateur events. He hopes that the sport will reach the same heights as cricket in the future. He emphasized the importance of sponsorship in promoting the game and predicted that golf could reach significant milestones within five years.The Trinity Golf Champions League (TGCL), which Dev is an ambassador for, is expanding to eight teams this year, including one from Sri Lanka. The league will be held in Bengaluru from September 2 to 7 and will feature a unique format similar to the Ryder Cup. Each team will comprise 20 players, including professionals, celebrities, and amateurs.The winning team will receive a prize of Rs 30 lakh, while the second and third-placed teams will receive Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively. Dev expressed his hope that the prize money for the TGCL winners will reach one million dollars within the next five years.

Shubhankar Sharma, the 27-year-old Indian golfer, has matured significantly in his approach to the Open Championship. In the past, he would rush to the golf course upon arrival at the venue, eager to practice extensively. However, this year at Royal Troon, he opted for a day of rest, recognizing the importance of preserving his energy for the grueling tournament.Sharma's decision stems from his thorough preparation during an earlier reconnaissance trip in May. He played three practice rounds alongside his coach, Jessie Grewal, gaining valuable insights into the challenging course. This prior knowledge allows him to approach the tournament with confidence and avoid unnecessary exertion.Sharma's recent performance at the Scottish Open also bolsters his optimism. Despite a disappointing triple bogey on the final hole, he displayed impressive form, making six birdies and finishing even-par on Saturday. This performance reinforces his belief that he is playing well and ready for the challenge ahead.During his May visit to Royal Troon, Sharma had the privilege of interacting with legendary golfer Tom Watson, who was hosting a clinic for Mastercard clients. Sharma was inspired by Watson's presence and the opportunity to play a hole with him.Sharma acknowledges the formidable nature of Royal Troon, particularly the relentless back nine that plays into headwinds. He emphasizes the importance of accurate ball-striking and precise tee shots to navigate the course successfully.Sharma's opening round on Thursday will see him paired with Matteo Manassero of Italy and Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden. He is confident in his preparation and eager to showcase his skills on one of the toughest golf courses in the Open rota.