Having broken into the world’s top 50 for the first time following his win at the co-sanctioned Maybank Malaysian Open on Sunday, Anirban Lahiri will be one of the main attractions at the Hero Indian Open.
A maiden European Tour victory moved Lahiri to 37th place in the Official World Golf Ranking, and he will now be looking to add a second win to his résumé at his national Open.
Lahiri, who came through the Qualifying School to gain his European Tour card, started the week 73rd in the World Ranking, but improved 36 places after beating Bernd Wiesberger by a single stroke in Kuala Lumpur.
The Bengaluru golfer, who will be one of the biggest draws at the Hero Indian Open, said: “Winning big events is always a goal, and for us Indian golfers, winning the Hero Indian Open means a lot because it is our national Open. In the last few years I have come close to it, and was tied second last time around, so I would like to set that record straight.”
Lahiri, also the Brand Ambassador of Hero, added: “The Hero Indian Open will be held on a course I have come to love. My first three wins on Asian Tour came at Delhi Golf Club and I have learnt how to handle this course, which until a few years ago had intimidated me.”
At last year’s Hero Indian Open, Lahiri and compatriot SSP Chowrasia tied for second as Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh claimed the title. Lahiri admitted that “it was a case of so near and yet so far”, but will use the missed opportunity as motivation to go one better this time around.
Lahiri boasts an impressive record at his National Open; in 2012, when it was played in his home city, he finished in a tie for fifth place; and in 2009, he recorded a tie for third.
Talking of his immediate plans, Lahiri said: “This week I tee up in Thailand, and then it is time for the Hero Indian Open. I like both the courses and events, and it will be a good time to get some good results.”
Lahiri’s 37th position in the Official World Golf Ranking is the second lowest by an Indian after Jeev Milkha Singh reached the lofty heights of 29th in March 2009. While this is his first week in the top 50 for Lahiri, Singh spent a cumulative 66 weeks inside the all-important marker that signals qualification for the Masters Tournament.
Speaking of his desire to play at the first Major Championship of the year, Lahiri said: “It is always the goal of a professional golfer to play as many Majors and World Golf Championships as possible – for that’s where the world’s best are. I feel I can do well at any level and my game is progressing well.”
The 51st edition of the Hero Indian Open, co-sanctioned by The European Tour for the first time in 2015, will be held at the Delhi Golf Club from February 19-22.
A stellar international line-up will include the evergreen Miguel Ángel Jiménez, five-time European Tour winner Brett Rumford, Hong Kong Open champion Scott Hend and defending champion Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh.
A thoroughbred regiment of Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa, Shiv Kapur, SSP Chowrasia, Gaganjeet Bhullar and Rashid Khan will bolster the Indian challenge.
