Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA, 14-08-2015
Lahiri off to impressive start at Whistling Straits, fires two-under-70 for share of 15th place
Trails leader by four
European Tour rookie Anirban Lahiri of India seems set to make yet another impression at the highest level of the sport. The 28-year-old fired a solid two-under-70 in the opening round of the PGA Championship, the year’s fourth and final Major, on Thursday, to be placed tied 15th, four behind leader Dustin Johnson of the United States. Lahiri made a total of six birdies against two bogeys and a double-bogey in round one.
When Lahiri teed off at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, on Thursday, he achieved the rare distinction of becoming only the second Indian after Jeev Milkha Singh to play all four Majors in the same calendar year. Jeev had achieved the feat in 2007. Anirban had made the cut at two (US Masters & British Open) of the three Majors earlier this year. His career-best Major finish of tied 30th was achieved at last month’s British Open.
The two-time European Tour winner was off to a whirlwind start with three birdies on the first seven holes on Thursday. While Lahiri began the tournament with a six-feet birdie conversion on the first, he carried forward the momentum thanks to his sharp short-game. He holed it from 39 feet on the fourth after recovering from the rough and from 23 feet on the seventh.
The back-nine was a mixed bag for Anirban. He converted a nine-footer for birdie on the 10th but found the rough and the fairway bunker to drop a bogey on the following 11th. Lahiri’s birdie from seven feet on the 12th was followed by another bogey on the 14th where he struggled to get out of the greenside bunker.
The Bangalore lad found the green in two on the par-5 16th to earn his sixth birdie of the day. He had moved into tied second at this stage, two behind leader Dustin Johnson.
However, the double-bogey on the closing 18th played spoiler for Lahiri. The Indian star struggled around the green on the final hole as he first found the bunker and then the rough and couldn’t get out of the rough in the first opportunity.
He will now tee off in round two at 0010 hrs Indian time on Saturday.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
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