Wisconsin, USA, 12-08-2015
LAHIRI EYES STRONG FINISH AT PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
WINS LONG-DRIVE CONTEST AT WHISTLING STRAITS
Asian Tour star Anirban Lahiri feels like a good week is coming on ahead of the PGA Championship which begins at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin on Thursday.
The 28-year-old Indian, who currently leads the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, struggled at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week, finishing tied 53rd, but believes he can bounce back strongly at the year’s final Major.
“The game is feeling good. Bad back spasms did me in last Thursday unfortunately and I also had a tough time figuring out the greens,” said Lahiri, who is a two-time winner this season.
“I’ll be looking for a good start at Whistling Straits. Building momentum will be a key for me. I feel like a good week is around the corner. Mentally I really feel good, so I’m hoping for a strong week.”
A top result will reinforce Lahiri’s current ninth position on the International Team rankings for the Presidents Cup to face the United States in Korea this October. With the top-10 players as of September 8 qualifying automatically, Lahiri hopes to become the first Indian golfer to feature in the biennial team competition.
The players below him, including 2013 Asian Tour number one Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, are separated by a hair’s breadth which makes this week’s PGA Championship a make-or-break week for the Indian, who was victorious twice in February and was tied fifth in Switzerland last month.
“It would be fantastic if I can make the team,” said Lahiri, who was part of Team Asia which forced a thrilling 10-10 draw with Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia last year and contributed two out of three points.
LAHIRI OUTSHINES TOP PGA TOUR STARS IN LONG DRIVE COMPETITION
Anirban Lahiri gave a glimpse of his hot form with the driver as he smashed a tee shot of 327 yards to win the PGA Championship Long Drive Competition at Whistling Straits on Tuesday. Lahiri will receive a money clip, inspired by the one Jack Nicklaus won in 1963 for a drive of 341 yards. Nicklaus still uses the money clip today.
Competitors had one tee shot and had to hit the fairway on the 593-yard second hole – appropriately named “Big Country” -- to qualify. Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott, Jason Day and Tony Finau all missed the fairway. And Martin Kaymer hit a drive about 298 yards just off the fairway while doing his best “Happy Gilmore” impression.
PGA club pro Matt Dobyns, who plays with big-hitting John Daly in the first and second rounds, finished second at 323. J.B. Holmes was third at 315, followed by Jimmy Walker (314), Jordan Spieth (313) and Keegan Bradley (310).
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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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