Indian golfer record second title of the year
Anirban Lahiri poses with the Macau open trophy. - AFP
New Delhi: It was a course record-equaling 62 that had lifted Anirban Lahiri to a second-place finish at the Venetian Macau Open last year. On Sunday, the 27-year-old Indian went a step further to pick up his second title of the year, posting a gallant five-under 66 in the final round.Lahiri (61, 73, 67, 66) totalled 17-under 267 for the week, enough to finish one stroke ahead of the field at the Macau Golf and Country Club, for his 16th career title and fifth on the Asian Tour.
Overnight leader Scott Hend of Australia (62-70-67-69), who was tied for the lead along with Lahiri with one hole to play, bogeyed the 18th and ended up joint second on 16-under 268 along with Thailand’s Prom Meesawat (68-70-64-66).“I am really happy with the result,” said Lahiri after the win. “Obviously, it was an anti-climax as we both played some fabulous golf and it was tough. For me, I was chasing all day and right up to 14, that’s where the momentum switched a bit.
“It’s nice to come out of the other second as I’ve been second so many times that it’s not a great feeling. I’ve learnt from that and am really happy with the way I played.”Lahiri, who began the final round two shots off the pace, came up with four birdies against a lone bogey on the front-nine to stay in touch with leader Hend.Two more birdies on the 14th and 15th holes helped the Indian take the sole lead for the first time, but Hend made it all square with the 16th-hole birdie.
The duo made pars on the 17th to be on level terms before Lahiri held his nerve for a par on the 18th hole even as the Australian dropped a shot.Hend, who arrived in Macau in top form after winning the Hong Kong Open last week, lipped out a par putt from four feet to settle for a 69 while Prom charged up the leaderboard with a 66. Lahiri, placed 90th in the official world rankings, now stands to make significant gains. The Bengaluru-based pro had achieved his career-best ranking of 64, after winning the Indonesian Masters earlier this year. Lahiri is also set to gain ground on the Asian Tour Order of Merit where he is currently placed second.
Among other Indians, Shiv Kapur claimed the eighth place on 10-under 274 after a third successive 67, while Jyoti Randhawa secured tied 15th place on six-under-278.
Jeev Milkha Singh was tied 26th on three-under-281, ahead of S.S.P. Chowrasia who was tied 32nd.
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story
