As the Karnataka Golf Association, Bangalore gears up for India's biggest domestic golf event - the Louis Philippe Cup - an in form Anirban Lahiri, the hottest player in Asian golf has boosted the Puravankara Bangalore team's chances of lifting the winning team trophy come Saturday March 10th.
Lahiri's hot form started with his wire to wire victory in the Asian tour's US$300,000 SAIL - SBI Open at the Delhi Golf Club last week against a strong field of 140 including 90 of the Asian tour's top ranked players. Continuing his good run, Bangalore based 24 year old Anirban made history by becoming only the 5th Indian golfer in history to qualify for the US$9 million British Open to be played in July with a two day combined score of nine under par 135 at the 36 hole International Final Qualifying held at the Amata Country Club in Thailand against the top 70 Asian players. He edged out 8 time Asian Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand by two shots in a nerve wracking finish. Anirban has picked up more ranking points and prize money in the past two weeks than any other Asian golfer, making him the player to watch out for at the Louis Philippe Cup even though he will face off against such seasoned champions as Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa who between them have 21 international titles.
Anirban showed real class last week by starting off his campaign at the SAIL-SBI Open in style. He opened with a day's best 7 - under par 65 and followed it up with 69 to maintain the 36 hole lead. A strong five under 67 on day three meant that a steady 73 on the final day was good enough to put him in a tie with Thai Prom Meesawat. Lahiri then went on to birdie the first hole in extra time to take his 2nd Asian Tour title.
His victory in the British Open International Final Qualifying ( IFQ) in Thailand has generated a wave of excitement in the Indian golfing community and among Bangalore golf fans. "It has been a childhood dream of mine. It feels really nice. This is the third IFQ I have come for and I've played pretty poorly in the past. It's really nice that I have made it", said Lahiri after his historic feat was accomplished in Bangkok yesterday.
Lahiri has teamed up with local-lad Abhishek Jha and highly rated, Manav Jaini of Delhi for Purvankara Bangalore pro team in the Louis Philippe cup which features 10 city-based teams. His team mates are hoping that his good form and confidence will rub-off on them too. "It's one of the dreams for every golfer to play in The Open. It's simply amazing what he has achieved," says Jaini. "I'm sure it's going to be special for him. He's a class player who is living up to his true potential. In a few days' time we will be playing together for the Purvankara Bangalore team in the Louis Philippe Cup. We are hoping to piggy-back on his form and confidence for a good result in the tournament."
Jha, who also hails from Bangalore, has spent long nights with Lahiri watching the live coverage of The Open Championship on the television. They spent hours talking about the finer aspects of the game as some of the finest exponents of golf unfurled their breathtaking range of skills in the race for the Claret Jug. "It's almost surreal that one of us has qualified for the greatest tournament in the world. Youngsters who see him practice at the KGA can relate to him and it will make them believe that they too can achieve the same someday," says Jha. "Naturally, I'm very excited to play alongside him in the Bangalore team in the Louis Philippe Cup. Though, it's a different tournament and a different week and one has to start afresh, but the confidence that he brings to the team will surely motivate us to give our best. It's a huge morale booster."
As the inaugural edition of Louis Philippe Cup gets underway, golf enthusiasts will be keenly looking to see how the top pros gel as a team. With Puravankara Bangalore team already starting off with the advantage of playing on their home turf, Anirban Lahiri hitting a purple patch early in the year has given fans more cause to cheer.
Lahiri's hot form started with his wire to wire victory in the Asian tour's US$300,000 SAIL - SBI Open at the Delhi Golf Club last week against a strong field of 140 including 90 of the Asian tour's top ranked players. Continuing his good run, Bangalore based 24 year old Anirban made history by becoming only the 5th Indian golfer in history to qualify for the US$9 million British Open to be played in July with a two day combined score of nine under par 135 at the 36 hole International Final Qualifying held at the Amata Country Club in Thailand against the top 70 Asian players. He edged out 8 time Asian Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand by two shots in a nerve wracking finish. Anirban has picked up more ranking points and prize money in the past two weeks than any other Asian golfer, making him the player to watch out for at the Louis Philippe Cup even though he will face off against such seasoned champions as Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa who between them have 21 international titles.
Anirban showed real class last week by starting off his campaign at the SAIL-SBI Open in style. He opened with a day's best 7 - under par 65 and followed it up with 69 to maintain the 36 hole lead. A strong five under 67 on day three meant that a steady 73 on the final day was good enough to put him in a tie with Thai Prom Meesawat. Lahiri then went on to birdie the first hole in extra time to take his 2nd Asian Tour title.
His victory in the British Open International Final Qualifying ( IFQ) in Thailand has generated a wave of excitement in the Indian golfing community and among Bangalore golf fans. "It has been a childhood dream of mine. It feels really nice. This is the third IFQ I have come for and I've played pretty poorly in the past. It's really nice that I have made it", said Lahiri after his historic feat was accomplished in Bangkok yesterday.
Lahiri has teamed up with local-lad Abhishek Jha and highly rated, Manav Jaini of Delhi for Purvankara Bangalore pro team in the Louis Philippe cup which features 10 city-based teams. His team mates are hoping that his good form and confidence will rub-off on them too. "It's one of the dreams for every golfer to play in The Open. It's simply amazing what he has achieved," says Jaini. "I'm sure it's going to be special for him. He's a class player who is living up to his true potential. In a few days' time we will be playing together for the Purvankara Bangalore team in the Louis Philippe Cup. We are hoping to piggy-back on his form and confidence for a good result in the tournament."
Jha, who also hails from Bangalore, has spent long nights with Lahiri watching the live coverage of The Open Championship on the television. They spent hours talking about the finer aspects of the game as some of the finest exponents of golf unfurled their breathtaking range of skills in the race for the Claret Jug. "It's almost surreal that one of us has qualified for the greatest tournament in the world. Youngsters who see him practice at the KGA can relate to him and it will make them believe that they too can achieve the same someday," says Jha. "Naturally, I'm very excited to play alongside him in the Bangalore team in the Louis Philippe Cup. Though, it's a different tournament and a different week and one has to start afresh, but the confidence that he brings to the team will surely motivate us to give our best. It's a huge morale booster."
As the inaugural edition of Louis Philippe Cup gets underway, golf enthusiasts will be keenly looking to see how the top pros gel as a team. With Puravankara Bangalore team already starting off with the advantage of playing on their home turf, Anirban Lahiri hitting a purple patch early in the year has given fans more cause to cheer.
