Published: June 16, 2026 at 5:56 pm
On Thursday, when Manav Shah (whose origins are in Gujarat, India but who grew up and studied in the US) steps onto the first tee at Shinnecock Hills for the US Open, it will be the culmination of a Major dream.
Yet, unlike all other steps before this one, it will be watched very carefully as it carries the hopes of a growing generation of Indian-origin golfers, the pride of his Gujarati heritage, and the distinction of becoming the first player associated with the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) to compete in a Major championship.
This week he will be one of five Indian-origin golfers at one of golf’s most prestigious events. He joins global stars like Indo-British Aaron Rai, who last month became the first Indian-origin golfer to win a Major at the PGA Championship. The others are Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala, who have both won on the PGA Tour, and Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju, who is making waves this year with performances that include a Top 5 at The Players.
Education was highly valued in the Shah household
Shah, born and raised in California to parents who emigrated from India in the 1980s, grew up in a family where education and professional careers were highly valued. Like many Gujarati households, medicine was often viewed as the natural path to success.
Manav Shah went to UCLA as a pre-med student, but soon the golf range became his main focus. Eventually, golf would become his life
“My extended family are in medicine,” Shah said. “That was always kind of the Gujarati line of work in our household.” While the family envisioned another doctor, Shah was drawn to the golf course.
He went to UCLA as a pre-med student, but soon the golf range became his main focus. Eventually, golf would become his life. Shah, who speaks Hindi, Spanish, and Gujarati besides English, changed his focus at university and graduated from UCLA with a degree in Political Science and International Relations.
Shah turned professional in 2015
Shah turned professional in 2015 after playing collegiately at UCLA. He played one season at UC San Diego (2010-11) before transferring to UCLA, where he competed from 2011-15, sitting out the 2011-12 season due to NCAA rules. He went on to play on the mini-tours, PGA Tour Americas, PGA Tour Canada, and the Korn Ferry Tour, alongside an appearance on the PGA Tour.
Manav Shah’s golf journey began on the very unglamorous public and municipal courses in Bakersfield, California. The common story in golf is of hard work mixed with setbacks and disappointment, and it was no different for Shah. In 2022, he won a title in Quito, Ecuador on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, which has since merged to become part of the PGA Tour Americas.
The victory in Quito validated years of hard work. Winning on a recognized international tour also boosted his confidence and strengthened his belief in himself. Shah regards the win in Quito as a critical stepping stone on the road to Shinnecock Hills.
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After Quito, he started looking for opportunities in India and Asia. He deepened his connection with India through professional golf, but his dream was always the PGA Tour and the Majors.
Though born in the United States, Shah stayed in touch with his roots. His father is from Gujarat and his mother from Mumbai, and he made regular visits to India. Gujarati was the language spoken at home, helping maintain a strong cultural connection. “India is very much home to me and it’s amazing to be able to represent my culture at the US Open,” he said.
Players on IGPL were very welcoming: Shah
That connection grew even stronger through his involvement with the Asian Tour, where he earned playing rights and then began playing on the Indian Golf Premier League, which was established in 2025. The IGPL was created to provide opportunities for golfers of Indian origin and to broaden the sport’s reach within the global Indian community. Shah emerged as one of the league’s leading performers, though he is yet to win on it.
“The players on the IGPL Tour were very welcoming,” he said. “It also brought me closer to my roots and closer to my culture.”
Regardless of where he finishes, Manav Shah has already created a significant piece of golfing history, and his performance may well open doors for many other Indian and Indian-origin youngsters
Earlier this year, when he was stuck in India due to a lack of flights on account of the situation in the Middle East, he stayed on to play and practice. The IGPL, Asian Development Tour, and the Asian Tour became his playing grounds.
Then came his decision to play in the grueling US Open qualifiers. He survived both stages of qualifying to earn his first US Open start. The US Open qualifiers are widely known as “golf’s toughest test” due to the demanding format.
He opened with a 68 at Pasatiempo Golf Club in local qualifying and then shot a 5-under 137 at Dallas Athletic Club to take one of the nine available spots for Shinnecock Hills.
Shah’s success is a landmark moment
It also marked a historic first for the IGPL. No player associated with the league had previously qualified for a Major championship. Shah’s success therefore became a landmark moment not only for himself but also for the league and its vision of creating pathways for talented Indian and Indian-origin golfers.
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Uttam Singh Mundy, the CEO of IGPL and a former pro on the Asian Tour, said, “Manav is a prime example of dedication and perseverance. It is a proud moment for IGPL. I am sure this will inspire many other youngsters we have on the IGPL. The pathway we are creating will produce many more such stars in the years to come.”
At Shinnecock Hills, Shah will find himself sharing fairways with many of the world’s best players. During his practice rounds, he has already had the opportunity to play alongside some of golf’s biggest names, including Tommy Fleetwood, who finished second at the US Open in 2018 when it was last held at Shinnecock Hills.
Shah, who is going in without heavy expectations, wants to enjoy the moment and gain experience that will stand him in good stead. “I want to stay calm and give my best,” he said.
Regardless of where he finishes, Shah has already created a significant piece of golfing history, and his performance may well open doors for many other Indian and Indian-origin youngsters.
