Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 23-10-2016
Lahiri misses out on maiden PGA Tour title, settles for career best tied third at CIMB Classic
Source: Asian Tour
Indian star Anirban Lahiri’s hopes of winning a maiden PGA Tour title were dashed as he couldn’t capitalize on his overnight four-stroke advantage in the final round of the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Lahiri, who shot a final round of even-par-72, had to instead settle for a career best tied third place with a total of 19-under-269.
American Justin Thomas defended his CIMB Classic title in style after a sparkling eight-under-64 gave him a three-shot victory at 23-under-265 in the US$7 million event co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and Asian Tour.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama carded a bogey-free 66 to finish runner-up at 20-under-268.
Anirban Lahiri had a disastrous start to the final round as he ran up a quadruple bogey nine on the par five third hole which wiped out his overnight four-shot lead.
Thomas, who birdied his closing five holes on Saturday to stay in contention, enjoyed a fast start by picking up four shots over his opening five holes before turning in 31. He also birdied 10 and subsequently coasted home to a second PGA Tour victory with further birdies on 16 and 17.
Lahiri, the reigning Asian Tour number one, was crestfallen after squandering his best chance yet to win a maiden PGA Tour title. A poor drive that ended amongst the palm trees on the third hole led to his calamitous nine and while he bounced back bravely with a birdie on four and an eagle on five, his putter went cold on the home stretch as he finished four shots behind Thomas.
Lahiri finally took a share of third place along with American Derek Fathauer.
“I’m obviously disappointed. I got unlucky with the tee shot and just compounded my errors. My short game again, coming up a little bit to bite me. I tried my best. I fought back as best I could, but I just couldn't get the putts to fall on the back nine,” said Lahiri, who was runner-up at the Venetian Macao Open last weekend.
“I had numerous lip-outs and then just really disappointed that I didn't birdie 17 or 18 or even 16, for that matter. Just didn't get the numbers right with my wedges. I didn't hit them close. It's very disappointing.”
With the consolation of achieving his best finish to date on the PGA Tour, Lahiri knows his time will eventually come. “I have the confidence. It's not like I need additional confidence. But I need validation now. I need validation in terms of my game. I need to see that happen. It's just not happened enough, and it's been a year of near misses so far,” said the 29-year-old.
“It's a good problem to have but it's something that I want to change obviously for the rest of this season on the PGA Tour. Not the way I would like to play on a Sunday, not at all. It's hard.”
Gaganjeet Bhullar finished tied 56th at three-under-285 while SSP Chawrasia was 71st at two-over-290.
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