‘Meditation key for me’

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Anirban Lahiri

Rising star Anirban Lahiri will be counting on his meditation to help him make a successful debut at The Open Championship which begins at Royal Lytham and St Annes on Thursday.

The 25-year-old two-time Asian Tour winner is excited at the prospects of tackling the world’s oldest Major, but knows he must maintain an even keel to ensure a rewarding week.
“I’ll stick to my meditation and stay in the moment and not get carried away and focus on what I need to do. It’ll play a critical role. Times of great highs and low, the mind gets muddled and unclear. I have to rely on meditation as it’ll only do me good,” said Lahiri.
Lahiri has been meditating for the past few years, saying the longest he has done was three hours while he spends about 20 minutes each day while he is at a tournament. The key benefit of the practice is simply staying in the present, he said.
“The benefit that I have derived from my meditation is that I’m able to stay in the present. Meditation has taught me to block out the scoreboard, what the group in front is doing or how far back or ahead I am.
“All those things kind of get sidetracked and the focus comes back to what I need to do,” he explained.
Lahiri arrived in the English coastal town on Saturday and has put in three practice rounds at the famous links. While others may have cringed when the rain and winds swept in earlier in the week, the Indian relished the tough conditions which are synonymous with The Open.
“I’m enjoying the weather so far. A lot of people here whom I’ve met are not comfortable but I’m feeling at home. I expected the course as tough as it’s been set up. Leading into the event, I’m feeling good,” said Lahiri, who is one of two Indians in the field aside from newly-crowned Scottish Open champion Jeev Milkha Singh.
“I’m hitting it good. I’m happy with my equipment set up, I’m feeling very comfortable.”
In late May, the amiable Indian made a visit to Royal Lytham and St Annes and played for several practice rounds. However, he said being here during The Open week was simply magical.