Press Trust of India
Dubai, Nov 20: Anirban Lahiri nailed seven birdies against a sole bogey for a five-under 67 that brought him back into the USD eight million DP World Tour Championships here Friday. The 28-year-old Lahiri is now four-under through 36 holes to be tied 23rd and is primed up to round off a dream year on the European Tour. He improved 23 places on the second day.
Lahiri made use of a lot of chances that came his way despite the bogey on par-4 fifth. But after that mishap, he came back strongly with four birdies in five holes around the turn from seventh to 11th holes. He finished off the day with a birdie on 18th.
Lahiri is eight shots behind the leader, Andy Sullivan (66), whose 30-odd fellow members from his home club, Nuneaton, made for a noisy gallery while egging him onto some great play. Already three-time winner this year, Sullivan shot an error-free 66 moving one ahead of Emiliano Grillo of Argentina.
Early in his round, Lahiri made a couple of good pars and then after a stumble on the fifth, where his chip spun back and led to a double bogey, he played solid with six birdies over last 13 holes.
“Even yesterday (Thursday) there was no dent in my confidence but it is nice to see results on the board. I am happy to be in red figures again,” said a relaxed Lahiri, who will also be getting a more experienced caddie, his friend, Neeraj, for the weekend. He played the first two rounds with a local golfer, Rohit Gupta.
Race to Dubai leader, Rory McIlroy put together another battling 68 to get to eight-under and in tied fourth place alongside Thai Thongchai Jaidee (67) and South African Charl Schwartzel (65)