Anirban Lahiri pocketed $2.18 million; the PGA Tour’s flagship occasion had a complete prize cash of $20 million, almost double that of any of the Majors
Tushar Bhaduri March 15 Golfing historical past is replete with gamers one would typically classify as journeymen having their day within the solar on one of many sport’s best levels. Anirban Lahiri has been enjoying on the PGA Tour, probably the most prestigious circuit within the sport, for a very long time however had nearly grow to be the forgotten man of Indian golf. Shubhankar Sharma received two European Tour occasions on the bounce just a few years in the past and led a World Golf Championship (WGC) event going into the ultimate spherical to grow to be the brand new numero uno, whereas Lahiri appeared destined to jostling with the lower line on a weekly foundation whereas struggling to maintain his Tour card each season.
But on Monday, in the course of the delayed end of the Players Championship on the acclaimed TPC Sawgrass, the Indian nearly scripted a Cinderella story. And although he completed quick by a shot, Lahiri gave an ample indication that he might be again within the large league after years within the wilderness.
His earlier statements about what his sport was missing at a specific time, what he was engaged on, and the technical modifications he was making have been all the time bullish in nature however taken with a pinch of salt.
In that context, what Lahiri achieved in the course of the lengthy week on the Players Championship – also known as the ‘fifth Major’ – got here as a bolt from the blue. The rain and frequent climate interruptions, which resulted in him going nearly two days with out hitting a ball, have been different challenges of the seemingly limitless event. Add to it, the chilly and moist climate and unusually low temperatures compelled the 34-year-old from Bengaluru to placed on 4 or 5 layers of clothes whereas on the Pete Dye-designed format.
Anirban Lahiri, of India, reacts to a shot on the in the course of the ultimate spherical of play in The Players Championship golf event Monday. (AP Photo)
Lahiri was across the high of the leaderboard from the beginning of the event and going by previous expertise, one would have anticipated him to fade away as the times glided by. After all, the Indian had typically discovered himself in comparable conditions at the beginning, solely to falter because the enterprise finish approached. There’s a motive he had not received on the PGA Tour, together with his earlier greatest end being a tied for second place on the 2017 Memorial Tournament. But this week was completely different as he hung in by means of the robust instances and if he did not find yourself with the trophy, it was extra because of the brilliance of eventual winner Cameron Smith than any frailty on the Indian’s half.
And Lahiri had not chosen a foul stage to show the nook. The PGA Tour’s flagship occasion had a complete prize cash of $20 million (a rise of $5 million from final yr, comfortably the most important particular person occasion purse in golf historical past. It’s almost double that of any of the Majors, with the winner getting richer by $3.6 million) as Lahiri got here to life. Add to the monetary windfall of $2.18 million the assured three-year exemption into the Open Championship, Masters and US Open, and the rewards may hardly have been better. With a second-place end, the son of an Army physician could have signaled the second coming in his {golfing} profession.
Anirban Lahiri, of India, reacts after lacking a shot on the 18th gap in the course of the ultimate spherical of play in The Players Championship golf event. (AP Photo)
Mind over matter Stroke-play golf is performed over 4 days and 72 holes. With the little ball on the mercy of the weather, there’s plenty of scope for issues to go incorrect. Lahiri, who led by a shot going into the ultimate spherical, had a double-bogey on the eighth gap which, within the ultimate evaluation, could have proved the distinction. But plenty of elite sport is performed within the thoughts and he jumped again into competition over the ultimate stretch. Smith appeared to have it sewn up however Lahiri’s birdie on the iconic island inexperienced on the seventeenth gap, coupled with the Aussie’s bogey on the final made issues fascinating. Another birdie on the ultimate gap would have resulted in a playoff, however the Indian could not handle that. He could come throughout as affable, however an extended barren stretch has made Lahiri determined to get within the winners’ circle after seven years.
“I want to win,” he burdened. “I’ve been here seven years, haven’t gotten over the line yet. That’s definitely a monkey I want to get off my back. Today was as good an opportunity as any. I guess at one point on 16 I thought it was kind of out of reach, but then again, birdieing 17, kind of opened the door. But I gave it a good go. Made some mistakes today that I could have avoided, but that’s golf.”
After playing cards of 67-73-67-69 that just about made Lahiri the second Indian after Arjun Atwal to win on the PGA Tour, his subsequent purpose can be to contend repeatedly. The Majors now come one after one other – beginning with the Masters in lower than a month – and the boldness gained from this efficiency may go a great distance. Putting 4 high quality rounds collectively has been a difficulty with Lahiri in latest instances, and he would do effectively to not fall into dangerous habits once more.
Shubhankar hasn’t hit the heights after bursting onto the scene with two titles on the trot. Aditi Ashok got here agonisingly near an Olympic medal in Tokyo, however has not hit the headlines since. Lahiri must hold the kettle boiling, for the sake of Indian golf.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
