Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Anirban Lahiri stared at the hole as he was ten feet away from glory at the inaugural Panasonic Open at the Delhi Golf Club. Lahiri sank that crucial birdie putt and recorded his first triumph at the international level.

The Bengaluru golfer prevailed in a three-way play-off after he had ended regulation play on 13-under-par 275 along with compatriot Manav Jaini and Singapore’s Mardan Mamat.

He stayed cool and sank the 10-footer for his most birdie putt and won the first play-off hole pushing Jaini and Mamat to tied second.

Lahiri posted a final round one-under-par 71 and secured his breakthrough win on the Asian Tour. He also won $47,550 at the newest $300,000 event on the Asian Tour which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

Two-time Indian Open champion Ali Sher finished tied fifth along with former Asia No.1 Jyoti Randhawa at 10 under 278. Ali Sher’s final round 65 happened to be the best score of the day.

Among the other Indians in the field, Himmat Singh Rai ended up tied seventh at nine under 279 while SSP Chowrasia was joint 12th at six under 282. Mukesh Kumar finished tied 14th at five under 283. Sujjan Singh was tied 19th.

Lahiri, 23, was delighted with the result as he never had a good record at the Delhi Golf Club. Anirban has now climbed from 30th to fifth position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

“This is really a special feeling for me. Somebody once told me that if I could win at the Delhi Golf Club, I would probably be laughing as I have had such a bad record here. I guess the joke is on them now,” said Lahiri, who now has eight professional wins to his credit.

The title race for the Panasonic Open (India) went all the way down to the wire with the pressure-packed final round for all to see.

Lahiri had trailed overnight leader Mardan by three shots going into the final round and he opened his round well with an opening birdie before dropping two shots on holes three and nine.

He made another birdie on the 10th hole before another bogey on the par-three 12th set him back again.

However it was a magical eagle-three on the par-five 14th which led him back to the summit for a share of the lead with four holes remaining.

The lead was shared between Jaini and Lahiri until Mardan birdied his closing 18th to take inaugural event into a play-off.

“I’m happy that I kept myself in it because I was always trailing in the back-nine and to be able to come from that position and win is great,” said Lahiri.

“Before the play-off started, I gave a quick call to my psychologist and he told me to concentrate and believe in my abilities,” added Lahiri, who dedicated his title to his parents.

Mardan was left to rue another missed opportunity that could have ended his five-year winless streak.

However with Lahiri sinking his 10-feet putt at the play-off hole, Mardan could only watch and ponder what might have been his day.

Playing on his home course, Jaini finished in the top-five in his last three starts at the Delhi Golf Club but was disappointed that he was not able to make the most of that proud record this week.

“I missed several shorts putts especially in my last four holes. That cost me the tournament,” said Jaini, who is now placed 10th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

The top three players will be invited to play in Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, scheduled from September 22 to 25 at Biwako Country Club in Shiga Prefecture.