Ice-cool Lahiri triumphs

Lahiri, who posted a final round one-under 71, secured his maiden title with a birdie on the 18th play-off hole as Mardan and Jaini could only make pars at the newest $300,000 event on the Asian Tour which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

The 23-year-old Indian was clearly delighted with his career breakthrough on the Asian Tour. “This is really a special feeling for me. Somebody once told me that if I could win at the Delhi Golf Club, I would probably be laughing as I have had such a bad record here. I guess the joke is on them now,” said Lahiri.

The title race went all the way down to the wire with the pressure-packed final round for all to see. Lahiri had trailed overnight leader Mardan by three shots going into the final round and began well with an opening birdie before dropping shots on holes three and nine.

He made another birdie on the 10th hole before another bogey on the par-three 12th set him back again. However, a magical eagle-three on the par-five 14th led him back to the summit for a share of the lead with four holes remaining.

The lead was shared by Jaini and Lahiri until Mardan birdied his closing 18th to take inaugural event into a play-off.

“I’m happy I kept myself in it because I was always trailing in the back-nine so I’m really happy to be able to come from that position and win,” said Lahiri.

“Before the play-off started, I gave a quick call to my psychologist and he told me to concentrate and believe in my abilities and I guess it paid off,” added Lahiri.

Singaporean Mardan was left to rue another missed opportunity that could have ended his five-year winless streak. The Singaporean had a late birdie on the closing 18th to thank for giving him a place in the play-off after a double-bogey on the 17th cost him to slip one back to second place then.

Playing on his home course, Jaini thus finished in the top-five in his last three starts at the Delhi Golf Club but was disappointed that he was not able to add a win to that proud record this week.

The top three players of the Panasonic Open (India) will be invited to play in Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, scheduled from September 22 to 25 at Biwako Country Club in Shiga Prefecture.

Leading final-round scores: 275: Anirban Lahiri (Ind, 65, 71, 68, 71), Mardan Mamat (Sin, 67, 65, 69, 74), Manav Jaini (Ind, 71, 67, 67, 70); 277: Prom Meesawat (Tha, 74, 70, 66, 67); 278: Jyoti Randhawa (Ind, 73, 66, 68, 71), Ali Sher (Ind, 73, 71, 69, 65); 279: Himmat Rai (Ind, 70, 67, 70, 72), Unho Park (Aus, 77, 69, 66, 67); 280: Tjaart van der Walt (RSA, 72, 68, 71, 69); 281: Ben Fox (USA, 70, 66, 74, 71), Chawalit Plaphol (Tha, 74, 66, 71, 70); 282: Berry Henson (USA, 71, 73, 68, 70), SSP Chowrasia (Ind, 73, 72, 68, 69).