St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, 15-07-2015
Lahiri strives for glory at Home of Golf
Indian star Anirban Lahiri is all set to make his third appearance at the British Open this week. However, it promises to be a novel experience for India’s leading golfer as he would be playing the tournament for the first time at the Home of Golf in St Andrews.
Lahiri, the world no. 58, has enjoyed a highly successful season in 2015 so far having posted two wins on the European Tour at the start of the year. He also made the cut in his debut appearance at the US Masters.
Anirban, who currently leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit and is placed 15th in the European Tour Race to Dubai, is widely expected to be one of the stars to spearhead the Asian charge at the world’s oldest Major.
“It’s very exciting for me especially going into The Open this year as I would have had some Major experience behind me now. This is the sixth Major in my career so far. So it’ll be a good time for me to come here and play and hopefully I can do well,” said Lahiri.
Anirban, the lone Indian in the field, is also thrilled about realizing his childhood dream of playing at St Andrews.
He said, “I have never been to St Andrews or played there before. For me it's going to be a brand new experience and so being at St Andrews, getting the opportunity to play that historic course at the Open itself is quite exhilarating. As a kid I have always wanted to play at St Andrews and to be making my debut at St Andrews with the Open is phenomenal. This year is very special just in terms of having the opportunity to play my first event at Augusta and St Andrews within a few months.”
Talking about his preparation to negotiate the tough conditions at the Old Course, Lahiri said, “A 110 yard shot could be a ball that's played 110 yards, it could be played 80 yards, it could even be played 50 yards and there are even instances where you could use a putter from 50-60 yards out. In Links golf, you have to be a lot more creative and have enough arsenal that you should be able to play with confidence. I think that's a big difference between playing in Scotland and elsewhere.”
Anirban will be playing the first two rounds along with European Tour regulars George Coetzee (world no. 65) of South Africa and Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello (world no. 84).
Lahiri tees off at 1228 hrs local time (1658 hrs Indian Standard Time) on Thursday.
Anirban Lahiri quotes courtesy: Golfingindian.com
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