USF men's golfer Shubham Jaglan — everyone calls him "Shubby'' — has a backstory that seems like pure fiction.
He was self-taught in his home country of India, learning to play golf largely through YouTube videos. In the beginning, he practiced on mustard fields or around patches of sugar-cane before his father, a milkman, built a rudimentary three-hole course. Jaglan became a child prodigy, a winner of more than 100 junior events, a world champion, a celebrity whose accomplishments were celebrated throughout his tiny village.
Some people, witnessing his uncommon tenacity and laser-focused approach, called him "the Tiger Woods of India.''
"I think it was more a thing for publicity, a way for people to relate to me and get more eyes on our (golf) foundation and raise more money … that's how those things work,'' Jaglan said. "It helped with (creating) news articles and interviews. I didn't really fully understand what it would mean.''
Here's the lesson:
It's a fantastically irresistible narrative, the remnants of which still exist on YouTube.
Yet the sports world is littered with cautionary tales from individual sports — mostly golf and tennis — the kids who received too much, too fast and got ruined in the process.
Many dreams dissolved into sobering reality.
But Jaglan? He's happy. He has helped the Bulls to a berth at the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships — USF's fifth-ever bid to the nationals — which begin Friday in Carlsbad, Calif. He has earned a bachelor's degree in finance (at age 20), but was unable to walk at graduation because USF was completing its fourth-place finish at the NCAA Regionals.
Earlier this season, Jaglan became the first Indian golfer to capture an individual title at the NCAA Division I level when he won the Linger Longer Invitational with a 12-under-par 204 over 54 holes (including a career-best round of 64).
And now, it's time for the final act, an appearance on college golf's greatest stage, surrounded by his buddies on an exceptionally close-knit USF squad.
"It's bittersweet,'' said Jaglan, USF's all-time leader in eagles (19), who tied for 16th in regional play with a 1-under-par 215. "I'll be moving on from college golf and hopefully playing professionally, which has been my dream. I'm going to miss the guys and the coaches, especially the team trips. I think the coaches gave us such a good environment (in which) to get better. I'll really cherish the relationships. USF has felt like a second home.''
USF was also the place where Jaglan grew up.
"I think I've learned a lot and coming to college was huge for that,'' Jaglan said. "My plan initially was to turn pro right after high school. My coach wanted me to come here (USF) and she was really keen on me going the college golf route.
"My freshman year, we had Albin Bergstrom, who was an All-American. We had a great team and made it to nationals. Suddenly, I'm surrounded by 50 people who were way better at golf than I was. I wasn't the big fish in the small pond anymore. That's where I started to learn about what I needed to get better.''
Jaglan has averaged 70.6 strokes in 30 rounds this season, just behind team-leader Jake Peacock (70.2). Jaglan leads the Bulls with 22 rounds of par or better, while finishing in the top 25 eight times (to nine for Peacock).
"He's the best,'' said Peacock, who is Jaglan's roommate. "For us in our final year to punch our ticket together (to nationals) is something I'll never forget. He works his tail off, day in and day out, so he's an inspiration in that sense.''
Coach Steve Bradley said Jaglan is "probably one of the more mature kids I've ever coached.''
"He's very analytical,'' Bradley said. "He's very black-and-white in the way his brain operates not only in life, but also on the golf course. He was pretty self-sufficient from Day One when he moved here to start college (at age 16, turning 17 that August).
"A big part of his development has been in his acceptance and trusting of others. He was his own person the first few years, but he has really opened his mind and thoughts to accepting outside feedback and outside coaching. He has let his guard down, while continuing with a work ethic that is absolutely unmatched.''
Now it's time for nationals and Jaglan remains confident.
"At regionals in the final round, we had the best round of the day (10-under-par 278),'' Jaglan said. "We had teams like Florida and Arizona State in the field and we played better than all those guys. I believe our team is capable of doing that at nationals.''
"Our goal is to not treat the moment bigger than it needs to be,'' Peacock said. "It's still the same golf shot in front of you. Obviously, it's easier said than done to just treat it the same (while playing at nationals). But if we all do our jobs, stay relaxed and keep things simple, I think we have a good chance at making a good run.''
For further inspiration, USF golfers can refer to the words of Jaglan in 2017, when he appeared on "Josh Talks'' (the Indian version of a Ted Talk).
Jaglan was 13 — and already mature beyond his years.
"Talent might open the first door,'' he said on the video. "It might open the second one, too. But not the last one. Hard work beats talent when talent stops working hard.
"Anything can happen if you are honest in your efforts. Have the faith, do the grinds and trust yourself.''
