Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Feb 22: Anirban Lahiri’s purple patch continued as he clinched the title in the Hero Indian Open golf tournament here Sunday after a thrilling fight at the play-off with overnight leader SSP Chowrasia on a pulsating day at the prestigious Delhi Golf Club here.
With Chowrasia returning with five-over 76, Lahiri, who was seven strokes behind the Kolkata golfer after the third round, carded two-under 69 in regulation to go into the play-off after a roller-coaster day which saw fortunes fluctuating too often.
In the play-off, Lahiri, didn’t put a foot wrong as he fired a birdie in the 18th hole after Chowrasia failed to recover from a disappointing tee shot. This is Lahiri’s second European Tour title in three weeks. He had won the Maybank Malaysian Open earlier this month.
“It is incredible. Starting today, I didn’t think I had a chance. It was one of the toughest days ever where I’ve played at Delhi Golf Club. This has been a childhood dream so it is very special to keep the Indian Open trophy at home. The way Siddikur and Chowrasia have been playing, it was hard to catch them,” Lahiri said after the end of the day’s play.
“Personally I wanted to play well and give myself a chance on the back nine. It was an important week for me. The leaders had a tough break and I feel lucky and fortunate. Honestly, it is hard to come to terms. Six months back, I was at Qualifying School so it feels like I’ve skipped a couple of steps to where I’m now,” Lahiri added.
The tricky DGC bared its pangs on the final day as overnight leader Chowrasia stumbled on a bogey and double bogey to allow Siddikur Rahman, who was behind the Indian by two strokes, lead the course after four holes early in the day.
The back nine was a rollercoaster ride as Lahiri found himself just two strokes behind after the front nine. The difference further reduced when Chowrasia dropped a bogey at the 12th but he picked up a birdie at the 15th hole.
It was the 16th hole which changed the complexion of the match as Chowrasia and Lahiri found themselves at seven-under, courtesy a bogey and birdie by the former and later respectively. The duo then parred to next two holes to go into the play-off.
