Rio de Janeiro, 11-08-2016
The Contenders at Rio
Here's a look at the career profiles of Anirban Lahiri and SSP Chawrasia who will be leading India's campaign in the men's golf competition at the Rio Olympics: ÂÂ
Anirban Lahiri
Country:  India
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Age:  29
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Residence:  Bengaluru
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Turned Pro:  2007
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International Wins:   7 (European Tour – 2, Asian Tour – 5)
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PGTI Wins: 11
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Major Appearances: 11
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• In 2016, Lahiri secured tied second place at the Hero Indian Open. He also represented Team Asia for the second time at the EurAsia Cup. His four appearances at the British Open are the most by an Indian. He made his fourth appearance at The Open in 2016.
• Anirban became the first Indian to play at the Presidents Cup in 2015 and earned his PGA Tour card for 2016 through the Web.Com Finals.
• Lahiri's tied fifth finish at the PGA Championship 2015 at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, is the best finish by an Indian at a Major.
• Anirban enjoyed a dream rookie season on the European Tour in 2015 as he won the Maybank Malaysian Open and the Hero Indian Open (both co-sanctioned by the European & Asian Tours) as well as posted two other top-10s to end 20th on the European Tour Order of Merit. His two wins along with three other top-10s in Asia also helped him emerge as the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion with record earnings of US$ 1,139,084. He achieved his highest-ever world ranking of 33 during the 2015 season.
• Lahiri was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2014.
• Anirban's wins at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters and the Venetian Macau Open along with seven other top-10s propelled him to second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2014. He earned his playing rights on the European Tour for 2015 with a top-20 finish at the Qualifying School.ÂÂ
• He was part of the inaugural EurAsia Cup in 2014 where he helped Team Asia secure a dramatic 10-10 tie with Team Europe after suffering a 0-5 defeat on the first day.
• Anirban won the SAIL-SBI Open 2013, was joint runner-up at the Hero Indian Open and had six other top-10s on the Asian Tour the same year. He finished third in the Asian Tour merit list. In 2013, Lahiri also won three events on the PGTI including the McLeod Russel Tour Championship.
• Anirban Lahiri won the SAIL-SBI Open 2012. Lahiri made a memorable debut Major appearance when he claimed tied 31st place at the British Open 2012.
• He won the Panasonic Open 2011.
• His momentous 12-under-60 at the BILT Open 2011 at Jaypee Greens equaled the record for the lowest to par score in a single round on Indian soil set by China's Liang Wen-Chong during the Indian Open 2008.
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• In the 2010 PGTI season, Lahiri won three titles and posted three other top-10s to finish third in the money list. His 24-under-264 total at Aamby Valley helped him set a new PGTI record for four rounds.
• Anirban became the 2009 Rolex Rankings champion with two wins and seven other top-10 finishes in the season.
• He registered five top-10s in his first season (2009) as a full card holder on the Asian Tour. He was tied third at the Indian Open.
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• He was very consistent in the 2007-08 PGTI season which also happened to be his first season as a professional. In 2007-08 he posted five top-10 finishes out of 13 starts to secure eighth place on the Order of Merit. His best results were tied runner-up finishes at the PGTI Players Championship at RCGC and the BILT Open 2008. He did not miss the cut even once.
• Lahiri won the 2007 PGTI Q-School as an amateur. He went on to secure eighth place on the PGTI merit list in his rookie season after posting five top-10s.
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• Anirban was one of India's top amateurs in 2005 and 2006.
• He was part of the Indian team that bagged the silver medal at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
• Represented India at the World Junior Team Championship in Japan in 2006.
SSP Chawrasia
Country:     India
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Age:     38
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Residence:     Kolkata
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Turned Pro:     1997
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International Wins:  4 (European Tour – 3, Asian Tour – 1)ÂÂ
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PGTI Wins: 3
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• SSP Chawrasia won the European Tour's Hero Indian Open 2016 for his fourth international title and third European Tour victory.
• SSP represented Team Asia at the second edition of the EurAsia Cup in January 2016.
• Chawrasia finished runner-up at the European Tour's Hero Indian Open 2015. He claimed fourth place on the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit thanks to four top-10s during the season.ÂÂ
• SSP won the Panasonic Open India 2014 and posted four other top-5s on the Asian Tour during the season.
• Chawrasia was the joint runner-up at the Hero Indian Open 2013 (Asian Tour).
• He won the inaugural McLeod Russel Tour Championship during the 2012 PGTI season.
• He won the Avantha Masters 2011 to bag his second title on the European Tour.
• In 2010, Chawrasia posted a win at the PGTI's Solaris Chemtech Open.
• Chawrasia recorded the biggest professional win of his career at the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters 2008 (tri-sanctioned event of the European Tour, Asian Tour and PGTI). This was his first win on the European Tour and earned him a full card on the European and Asian Tours till 2010.
• The Kolkata golfer finished third on the PGTI Order of Merit list in 2006-07. SSP registered seven top-10 finishes out of seven starts during the 2006-07 PGTI season. This included a win at the Tata Open.
• He had a memorable outing at the Hero Honda Indian Open 2006. Secured second place after losing to Jyoti Randhawa in a play-off.
• Chawrasia won The Hindu Open and the Tata Open in the 2005-06 Indian domestic season.
• Was runner-up to Arjun Atwal at the 1999 Indian Open.
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.
For information on PGTI, please contact:
Nikhil Kalaan
Media Manager - PGTI
Mobile: 9910974846
Email: media@pgtofindia.com
