Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 21-10-2016
Lahiri lies second after round two of CIMB Classic
India’s Anirban Lahiri was poised for the joint lead at the halfway stage of the US$7 million CIMB Classic but suffered a double bogey at the par-five 18th hole that placed him two behind the leader, defending champion Justin Thomas of the United States.
Reigning Asian Tour number one Lahiri thus dropped two shots at the end of his round for the second straight day, at the prestigious event jointly sanctioned by the PGA Tour and Asian Tour.
Lahiri (66-66), runner-up in Macao last weekend, totalled 12-under-132 after two rounds. He was disappointed about dropping shots late in his round for the second successive day. He found consolation that he has continued to make a hatful of birdies, raking up 25 birds over his last 47 holes since last Sunday.
“It's just very disappointing to finish the way I did. Both days I think I left four or five shots out there coming in. I would have liked to be in a better position the way I've played but it's not over yet. If I can switch that around the next two days, and get in the hunt on Sunday afternoon, I think I'm playing well. Hopefully I can just keep the intensity through the weekend,” said Lahiri, a seven-time Asian Tour winner and chasing a first PGA Tour title.
He hopes his familiarity with TPC KL, where he won the Malaysian Open here last season, will continue to reward his superb iron play and lead him to a maiden win at the CIMB Classic, the only PGA Tour sanctioned event in Southeast Asia.
“The last three weeks have all been courses where I've won, so when you go back to a course where you won, you already feel positive to start, and I think that's what I needed (after returning from injury). It's been so much guesswork for me in America the past season,” he said.
“I'm definitely swinging it better. Just feel like I've got to work on the mistakes. I've not made too many errors, but when I've made an error, I've kind of compounded it this week.”
Gaganjeet Bhullar was tied 54th at one-under-143 while SSP Chawrasia was tied 73rd at four-over-148.
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