New Jersey: Golfer Anirban Lahiri will be making his second appearance at the Presidents Cup after International captain Nick Price sprung a surprise by selecting the Indian as one of his two wildcards here Wednesday. The tournament will be played September 28-October 1 at Liberty National here. Emiliano Grillo of Argentina is the other wildcard entrant for the International squad.
Lahiri became the first Indian to qualify for the International squad in Korea couple of years ago. But he was left gutted after missing a crucial putt that cost the team a vital half point. The Indian ace thus gets a chance to make amends as he created history by getting into the President’s Cup a second time.
Lahiri is over the moon after his selection. “Honestly speaking, I was not expecting to be picked. When Nick called me last night (Tuesday), we (his wife Ipsa and he) were having dinner and I thought the call was to tell me ‘Sorry, we are unable to have you on the team this time …’ – that kind of a call. But when he said, ‘You are in’. I could not believe it. He had to repeat it,” an elated Lahiri said.
Price, while choosing Lahiri clearly opted for experience over another first-timer. “Anirban, he brings an awful lot to the team. His camaraderie and spirit at the last Presidents Cup was something that we all took notice of. He was wonderful in the team room and very enthusiastic, and he’s got a great heart,” Price said of the selection of Lahiri.
press trust of india