With Majors in mind, Lahiri aims to break into top 50

BANGALORE: Barring the missed cuts at two of the biggest events that Anirban Lahiri played this season, the ace golfer has hardly put a foot wrong in 2014. It all began with his fourth win on the Asian Tour in Indonesia, his first outside of India in April.
He had three top-10s this season on his way to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, earned berths to two Majors The Open and the PGA Championship and tied the knot to his longtime girlfriend Ipsa Jamwal in-between his exploits on the course in May.
The icing on the cake was the Arjuna award, the second highest honour for an Indian sportsperson. Before leaving for Europe on Friday, Lahiri spoke to TOI.
Excerpts:
How does it feel to get the Arjuna award?
It feels fantastic. It is one of those wonderful things to have happened to me and I'm looking forward to next Friday. Going to the Rashtrapati Bhavan and meeting the President of India. My parents are going to come with me and it will be a happy moment for them. It's a special feeling.
Will you be missing an event to attend the function next week?
Yes. I was planning to play in Italy next week, but when I got nominated I withdrew from that event. I didn't want to give any reason for not being there in case I got the award.
Can this recognition make up for the disappointment of missing out at last two majors?
To have not performed well at the two most important events of the year is a tough pill to swallow. It was unfortunate that my health took a turn for the worse. I don't know if the award makes up for it. While the Majors are more of a goal-oriented target, the Arjuna award was never really a target. But the award is something I will cherish and it will be with me always. It can happen only once in my life and I'm honoured.
This award will spur you to do even better...
Yes. Every time you get recognized or appreciated for your efforts you feel motivated, you feel good about the fact that your efforts are not going unnoticed. It is a target of mine to play well at the Olympics, and hopefully I continue to play well in and get into the team first and do my best when I do get the opportunity.
Barring the slip-up in the two majors, you have had a great run this year. What are your targets for the rest of the year?
The main target is to break into the top 50 by the end of the year, which would give me some sort of breathing space in America. It would get me entry into all the four majors next year. And one of my targets is to win the Order of Merit in Asia. The previous targets were to do well in the majors but that has been a dampener for me and now I've to refocus and gather myself and push hard over the next few months.
How soon do we see Lahiri play on the US PGA Tour on a regular basis?
Sooner than later, I hope.