Lahiri bags Indian Open crown
Local favourite Anirban Lahiri won a playoff against compatriot SSP Chowrasia to claim his second European Tour title in two weeks at the Indian Open yesterday.
Beginning a dramatic day seven shots behind overnight leader Chawrasia, Lahiri carded two-under 69 and benefited from his opponent’s meltdown to join him at seven under par and force the playoff.
This is the fourth time that Lahiri has won an event at the Delhi Golf Club in a play-off. The previous three were the 2011 Panasonic Open India, 2012 and 2013 SAIL -SBI Open. Chowrasia slumped to a 76 and watched helplessly as Lahiri denied him his third European Tour title by rolling in a 15-foot birdie to clinch the playoff. “It’s incredible — starting today I didn’t really think I had a chance,” Lahiri, who was four-over after his first 10 holes in the tournament, told reporters.
“At the start of the week, I knew that if I put in a good performance it would pretty much secure my place in The Masters. I didn’t think I would win after the last three days of golf. It is fantastic.
Now the whole world is opened to me. I’m really excited. This is what dreams are made of,” added Lahiri, who had begun the fourth day seven strokes behind the leader. Chowrasia began the day with a two-shot lead over holder Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh who won the tournament two years ago.
Beginning a dramatic day seven shots behind overnight leader Chawrasia, Lahiri carded two-under 69 and benefited from his opponent’s meltdown to join him at seven under par and force the playoff.
This is the fourth time that Lahiri has won an event at the Delhi Golf Club in a play-off. The previous three were the 2011 Panasonic Open India, 2012 and 2013 SAIL -SBI Open. Chowrasia slumped to a 76 and watched helplessly as Lahiri denied him his third European Tour title by rolling in a 15-foot birdie to clinch the playoff. “It’s incredible — starting today I didn’t really think I had a chance,” Lahiri, who was four-over after his first 10 holes in the tournament, told reporters.
“It was one of the toughest days ever that I’ve played golf at Delhi Golf Club and I’m really happy to have accomplished this: it’s a childhood dream,” said Lahiri who won his maiden European Tour title in Malaysia a fortnight ago. “There were about eight of us who could have pulled through so I feel really lucky and fortunate, and really happy,” added the 27-year-old, who could move to just outside the top 30 in the world rankings and looks certain to earn a US Masters invitation in April.
“At the start of the week, I knew that if I put in a good performance it would pretty much secure my place in The Masters. I didn’t think I would win after the last three days of golf. It is fantastic.
Now the whole world is opened to me. I’m really excited. This is what dreams are made of,” added Lahiri, who had begun the fourth day seven strokes behind the leader. Chowrasia began the day with a two-shot lead over holder Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh who won the tournament two years ago.
