Jakarta, Indonesia, 27-04-2014
Sensational win for Lahiri in Indonesia, achieves maiden success outside India
Lahiri rises to no. 1 on Asian Tour, Chowrasia & Rashid also post top-10s
Anirban Lahiri finally tasted success outside India with a sensational win at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters on Sunday thanks to a fantastic 20-feet eagle putt on the final hole. It happened to be his 15th title triumph and fourth win on the Asian Tour as he shot scores of 70, 69, 64 and 68 to total 17-under-271 for the week. Baek Seuk-hyun of South Korea and Australian Cameron Smith finished as joint runners-up with, one stroke behind Lahiri. Lahiri has now risen from fourth place to number one position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
SSP Chowrasia (71-66-69-68) claimed tied fifth place at 14-under-274 while Rashid Khan (70-70-64-71) secured ninth position at 13-under-275 to make it three Indians in the top-10.
Anirban Lahiri, who played a key role in Team Asia’s strong comeback that helped them achieve a draw against Team Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup last month, came up with three birdies against a lone bogey on the front nine. He sank two more birdies on the 12th and 14th accompanied by a double-bogey on the 13th. However, his crowning glory was the 20-feet eagle conversion on the par-5 18th hole. The eagle on the closing 18th helped Lahiri come from one stroke behind and overhaul Baek Seuk-hyun’s 16-under total.
“I had an awkward lie on 13. During the rain delay I was just thinking that I have to get up and down there. I got a bad break there but I know Lin Wen-tang dropped a shot as well. Unfortunately I got a double bogey there but I am glad I came back strong,” said Lahiri.
He added, “My mind was blank when I prepared for the last putt on 18. All I told myself was I had to get it into the hole. When I was walking up to the greens, I was actually thinking if I need to prepare for a playoff tomorrow morning.”
“It’s really great to get my first win outside of India. I have missed out on it for a long time and I am so glad I managed to do it today. I need the world ranking points so I’m really happy I could win this week,” said Lahiri.
Lahiri, currently ranked no. 102 in the Official World Golf Rankings, has a good chance of making his way back into the top-100 once the updated rankings are released on Monday. The Bangalore-based professional had achieved his career-best ranking of 99 last month.
The 26-year-old Anirban had won all three of his previous Asian Tour titles on home turf in India at the Delhi Golf Club. Lahiri’s win on Sunday was the 60th international win by an Indian. It was also the second title triumph by an Indian in the 2014 Asian Tour season as Rashid Khan had won the SAIL-SBI Open in March.
Two-time European Tour winner SSP Chowrasia returned a four-under-68 in round four to be the second Indian in the top-5. SSP’s final round featured five birdies and a bogey.
Rookie Rashid Khan carded a one-under-71 to occupy ninth place and continue his rich vein of form. Rashid’s final round was a mixed bag of five birdies and four bogeys.
Jyoti Randhawa ended up in tied 13th with a total of 11-under-277 and Rahil Gangjee finished tied 22nd at six-under-282.
Arjun Atwal had a tally of two-under-286 and claimed tied 39th place while Sujjan Singh finished 66th at nine-over-297.
Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, congratulated Anirban Lahiri on his win, saying, “Hearty congratulations to Anirban for his first Asian Tour win outside India. Anirban’s spectacular performances have taken him to the pinnacle of Asian golf and inspired many young Indian players to follow in his footsteps. We wish Anirban all success for the future.”
Elsewhere, at the European Tour's Volvo China Open in Shezhen, Gaganjeet Bhullar finished tied 57th at one-over-289.
(Picture Courtesy: Asian Tour)
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. Srinivasan H R (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
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