Jeju Islands (South Korea): Ace Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri faltered at the final stretch after leading on the back nine as he finished tied-5th in The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges here Sunday.
The Indian, who was having a share of the lead with the eventual winner Justin Thomas and Marc Leishman, faltered over the last five holes with two bogeys and a crippling double.
He dropped from two-under to two-over for the day and from 9-under to 5-under for the tournament and finished Tied- 5.
Lahiri finished in a six-way tie for fifth place alongside last week’s winner at CIMB, Pat Perez (68), Jamie Lovemark (71), Brian Harman (71), Luke List (72) and overnight co-leader Scott Brown (76).
It was his second consecutive Top-10 finish in the new season and third one in a row overall, but disappointing all the same.
“That is two disappointing Sundays in a row. But I am happy to see the game trending in the right direction. Let’s try again,” Lahiri said later.
Justin Thomas, who has been unstoppable from the time he snatched the CIMB Classic from under Lahiri’s nose 12 months ago in 2016, won yet again. He edged out Marc Leishman on the second play-off hole after both players birdied the 18th. Actually, Thomas almost eagled for an outright win in regulation play.
Australian youngster Cameron Smith (70) was third, while Korea’s Kim Whee (72), who won the latest BMW with a hole-in-one at the CIMB Classic last week, was the best local player in fourth place.
Press Trust of India
