St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, 16-07-2015
Lahiri fires brilliant opening round 69 to be placed tied 18th at British Open
Anirban highest-placed among Asians after round one
It was a good day at the office for Anirban Lahiri at the British Open on Thursday. The Indian star posted a three-under-69 in round one to be placed tied 18th, four shots behind leader Dustin Johnson of the United States.
Lahiri, making his debut at the ‘Home of Golf’ in St. Andrews, got off to a dream start with successive birdies in his opening two holes. The world no. 58 reeled in another birdie on the seventh to make the turn at three-under.
Anirban, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, dropped his first shot of the day on the 13th but came roaring back with another pair of birdies on the 14th and 15th.
Lahiri bogeyed the infamous Road Hole 17, which is widely regarded as the toughest par-four in world golf. He finally submitted a card of 69.
The Bangalore lad was the highest-placed among the Asians in the field after round one.
“The front-nine was playing down wind so I did not have much of a problem there. But when we got to the back-nine, the wind was really blowing. The pin positions on the back-nine were not easy too.
“They were put in tight corners and it was not easy to give yourself birdie chances even from 10, 20 feet. You got to hit quality golf shots and every time you don’t, you are under heavy pressure to make par,” said Lahiri.
With tougher weather conditions predicted for the rest of the week, the Indian was pleased to have given himself an advantage with his opening round efforts.
“I’m glad I played well today as everyone is talking like it’s going to be Armageddon from tomorrow. You don’t really know what to expect and you obviously don’t want to be over-par and behind going into that kind of weather,” added Lahiri.
Anirban hit more than 80 per cent fairways and made more than 80 per cent greens in regulation in round one. These were two key stats that highlighted his good form on the opening day.
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