JOIN USLahiri retains title in thriller; pips Rashid in play-off
India’s Anirban Lahiri successfully defended his SAIL-SBI Open title following a thrilling play-off victory over compatriot Rashid Khan here on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Lahiri birdied the 18th hole from 10 feet in regulation play to force a play-off and then claimed his third Asian Tour win with a four-foot birdie conversion on the same hole at the Delhi Golf Club. Rashid, 22, gave himself a great chance of a maiden title on the region’s premier tour with a superb final round of six-under 66, which included a closing birdie, but he could not prevent a dominant Lahiri, who signed off with a 68. Both Lahiri and Rashid signed off at 15-under 273. Overnight leader Siddikur of Bangladesh closed with a disappointing 73 to finish third, four shots behind the play-off duo.
Shiv Kapur of India settled for fourth place after a 70, while Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit and Australian rookie Matthew Stieger ended in tied fifth place.
“It’s not sunk in yet. I’m still in disbelief that I made the putt in regulation and got into the play-off. After that, in the next 15 minutes, I didn’t know what happened,” a delighted Lahiri said.
“Unfortunately for Rashid, it didn’t work out for him. I feel bad for him as he doesn’t have a card on the Asian Tour. He’s got a bright future ahead of him,” added Lahiri.
The final round of the $300,000 event, which is part of the Asian Tour’s milestone 10th season celebration in 2013, was a nail-biting affair with Rashid and Lahiri exchanging leads on the back nine.
Rashid, laying in the penultimate group, brilliantly birdied his 72nd hole from three feet but could do very little as Lahiri coolly matched his closing birdie from 10 feet to force the play-off. Lahiri was overjoyed to taste victory for the third time at the demanding Delhi course, which he disliked early on in his career.
Rashid, meanwhile, expressed his disappointment, saying: “I played really good. Holed good putts and played really well this week. Starting with a par-72 on the first day and losing in a play-off, it’s disappointing.’’
Siddikur started brilliantly with two opening birdies to cement his lead early on but four bogeys in his next seven holes derailed his hopes of a second Asian Tour title. “Today, I was totally off. My hitting was bad. From the centre of the fairway, I made three bogeys on 4th, 13th and 17th. The balls were going too long. “I saw Anirban and Rashid going up the leaderboard but I couldn’t catch them. I couldn’t make the birdies,” said the Bangladeshi.
Leading scores (after 72 holes, Indians unless mentioned): 273: Anirban Lahiri (71, 68, 66, 68), Rashid Khan (72, 64, 71, 66). (Lahiri beats Rashid in the first play-off hole). 277: Siddikur (Ban, 68, 68, 68, 73); 278: Shiv Kapur (69, 70, 69, 70); 279: Pawin Ingkhapradit (Tha, 70, 69, 71, 69), Matthew Steiger (Aus, 70, 71, 68, 70); 280: Namchok Tantipokhakul (Tha, 69, 75, 68, 68); 281: Boonchu Ruangkit (Tha, 72, 69, 70, 70); Chan Kim (US, 67, 68, 74, 72), Chapchai Nirat (Tha, 66, 75, 67, 73).