Best-ever result by Lahiri in PGA tournament
Dublin (US): Anirban Lahiri shot one of the best rounds of his fledgling PGA Tour career with a bogey free seven-under 65 to finish a brilliant second at the Memorial golf tournament, here Sunday.
After shooting one of his best rounds, Lahiri then waited for over three hours to see whether his clubhouse target of 10-under would hold out for one of the most stunning wins this season.
In the end, Lahiri finished tied-second, as Jason Dufner found a second wind on the back nine and won by three strokes.
The 29-year-old Lahiri, who came into the week following a streak of three missed cuts and a ranking that was fast dropping, had the best card for the day as he rose from overnight tied 27 to finish at 10-under 272.
Dufner, who had a record 36-hole score of 14-under before plummeting to five-over 77 on the third day, turned in nine-under after three birdies and three bogeys on front nine.
He steadied himself on the back stretch with birdies on 10th (which brought him level with Lahiri) and then moved ahead with further birdies on 12th, 15th and 18th to cruise to a three-shot lead over the Indian and Rickie Fowler
Justin Thomas (72), who pushed Lahiri behind to win the CIMB Classic last October, was fourth with Matt Kuchar (73) at nine-under.
Around the time Lahiri was finishing, Jack Nicklaus, the tournament host was in the commentary box, and said, “He (Lahiri) is a very fine young man and plays well. He is a member at the Bears Club.”
Lahiri is a member at Nicklaus Bears Club, close to his place in Florida. “It feels great to have my best at Mr Nicklaus’ event. He has been very kind to Ipsa (his wife) and me ever since we met him. Being a member at the Bears and having the opportunity to speak to him and get his advice is really special,” Lahiri said.
The tied second finish is the best PGA Tour result for Lahiri, bettering his 2015 PGA Championship tied fifth finish and tied third finish at 2016 CIMB Classic.
The result which was worth USD 7,65,600, his best ever in his career, also sealed his 2018 PGA Tour card, as also cemented his place for the season-ending FedEx Cup play-offs.
But Lahiri will probably miss out on the US Open as his finish will only move him from 90th in world ranking to 64-65th and only the top 60 are assured a berth in the year’s second Major.
“I would have liked may be four or five holes more, actually. And I could have probably made a couple more birdies. But then that’s the Memorial for you. You take what you get and then you stay happy with that,” an elated Lahiri said.
On whether he had any thoughts of winning or coming close before the start of the final round, Lahiri laughed and said, “No, honestly I was trying to have some fun. Just wanted to get some momentum going. That’s all.”
Lahiri’s titles
2011 Panasonic Open
2012 SAIL-SBI Open
2013 SAIL-SBI Open
2014 CIMB Indonesian Masters
2014 Macau Open
2015 Malaysian Open
2015 Indian Open
Other achievements
11 titles on the Professional Golf Tour of India circuit
Broke into the top 100 of professional golf ranking in March 2014
Tied third in the 2016 CIMB Classic golf tournament
Best-ever finish by an Indian at a Major when he finished fifth in the PGA Championships in 2015. Previous best was held by Jeev Milkha Singh at ninth
Agencies
