JOIN USHaving played extensively at KGA, youngster eyes good show.Anirban Lahiri is being tipped as one of the favourites to triumph in the Indian Open, kicking off this Thursday at the KGA, despite enduring a fluctuating season. The primary reason for backing the talented golfer is that he will be teeing off at a course that he is extremely familiar with since his amateur days.
Lahiri, who was born in Kolkata but has made the Garden City his home for the last seven years, has had several good memories of the KGA with the most cherished being the superb Bilt Open victory in 2010.
Moreover, the 25-year-old gains extra confidence when playing the Asian Tour events in India with both his victories coming at home.
“I’m very comfortable playing here at the KGA,” gushed Lahiri on Monday after playing a practice round. “It’s nice to be back home and good to be sleeping in your own bed and playing a tournament. It doesn’t happen often, a first time for me, especially on the Asian Tour.
“It is a huge confidence booster because I’ve played well here and won tournaments. I’ve scored well here even when I haven’t hit my best and I’m coming into the week with that sort of history behind me.
Hopefully, I hit it better as the week progresses. I’m comfortable with the greens and the golf course is in fantastic shape. I’m looking at a potentially positive week,” added Lahiri, hoping to put an end to an oscillating season with his second Asian Tour victory of the year.
After securing his second Asian Tour title at the SAIL-SBI Open this February, Lahiri’s season has had an equal number of highs and lows. While he set tongues wagging with a stunning hole-in-one at The Open Championships en route to a tied-31st finish on his Major debut, Lahiri has also missed the cut thrice on the Asian Tour.
“The first half was obviously brilliant and I’ve had had a couple of good performances in the second half as well. I haven’t been playing consistently and I haven’t backed up a good round with another good round and that will be my primary target this week. I wish to play some consistent golf,” said Lahiri.
When asked the reason behind his inconsistency, Lahiri attributed to poor driving. “I took some time off during the off season and suddenly when you get back, your swing doesn’t click. I’ve been making some technical mistakes and have been working with Vijay (Diwecha) sir. There is still a lot of work in progress and it takes time when you make changes, so I’m trying to be patient and work at what I need to do.”