Indian-origin golfer Manav Shah, born in California to a Gujarati family, has chosen fairways over medical school and will tee off at his maiden US Open after years of grinding on public courses and global qualifying circuits.
Reconnecting with his roots through the Asian Tour and Indian Golf Premier League strengthened Shah's self-belief, carrying him into golf's toughest major.
Shah, 34, earned his spot in the US Open after finishing 5-under-par at the 36-hole final qualifying event in Dallas.
He began his time at UCLA as a pre-med major but eventually pivoted to manage the demands of collegiate golf.
Shah honed his game on local public and municipal courses, shaping his resilience and creativity.
He believes Indian-origin golfers are breaking barriers globally due to a deepened talent pool over the last decade.
Shah also weighed in on the PGA Tour-LIV Golf divide, saying the sport must preserve multiple pathways for emerging professionals.
As he prepares for the US Open, Shah expects the mental challenge to outweigh the technical demands.
