JOIN USAfter a topsy-turvy 2011 season, Anirban Lahiri is slowly finding the much-needed consistency that has now helped him realise a childhood dream -- a chance to play against the best in the business at the revered British Open golf championship.
Lahiri, who a couple of weeks ago clinched the SAIL-SBI Open in New Delhi for his first title of the year, fed off brilliantly from that victory to seal his maiden major championship ticket with a fine performance at the Open’s International Final Qualifying tournament in Chonburi, Thailand a few days back.
The Bangalorean shot rounds of 68 and 67 for a total of nine-under 135 to capture the title in style, making his third attempt at the Final Qualifying count and crediting it to meditation.
“I may sound like a preacher but it’s all because of meditation,” Lahiri told reporters at the KGA on Monday. “In early February, I attended a 10-day course at the Vipassana Meditation Centre in Hyderabad. It’s a very disciplined course where one has shut himself from the rest of the world.
“You can’t watch television, use a mobile phone, talk to your friends; there is no reading, writing etc. You just meditate for 10-12 hours everyday. Last year too, I started brightly but went off the boil. I had a lot of issues going on in my personal life as well and the stress took a toll on me.
“I heard about this place from a friend and the course has completely changed me. I am at peace with myself. I am a lot more composed on the course now. Success or failure, I know how to handle them. Now, I feel its all about quality rathern than quantity golf,” added Lahiri, who will be leading Bangalore in the Louis Philippe Cup beginning on Wednesday.
The Open is always conducted on links courses which are completely different from the ones in Asia, where Lahiri has plied his trade so far. “Last year, I played a few rounds at Turnberry Resort. In Asia, it is generally hot and humid while there it is cold and extremely windy. You need to change your game completely and it’s not easy. Your tee shots, approach shots and game on the green is way different.
I’ll be going to the UK ten days ahead of the Championship to help myself acclimatise better. I hope to do well.”
The Open will be played at the Royal Lytham St Annes from July 19 to 22.