‘So much richer from experience’

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Anirban Lahiri

Anirban Lahiri ended a dream week at The Open Championship on Sunday with the belief that he can stand his ground against the best in the business.

The 25-year-old signed off his Major debut with a battling three-over-par 73 on a tough final day at the Royal Lytham and St Annes, finishing on three-over-par 283 and well ahead of the likes of former Open champions Padraig Harrington and Paul Lawrie and Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, ranked second and third in the world, respectively.
“I won’t be intimidated anymore. If I can come here and hold my ground, I can hold it in any event and any field looking into the future,” said Lahiri, a two-time Asian Tour winner.
“I am so much richer from the experience and confidence that I have gained this week. I think I’ve gained a lot of respect from the players. I think I can rate my game a bit higher now than when I came here initially.
“I feel I can come out here and play well, whether in Europe or America.
“I played with three different PGA Tour players this week and the same thing that Arjun (Atwal, who plays in the US) tells us, if you can shoot five or six under in India, you can do it in America as well. That’s the attitude that I should bring,” Lahiri added.
The talented Indian had four bogeys against a lone birdie, recorded at the par three ninth — the hole where he sank a magical hole-in-one during the third round.
Lahiri came close to a grandstand finish on the 18th, when he lipped out a birdie attempt from 10 feet.
“It was special. Yesterday, I hit a bad drive on 18. Today, I hit a driver and blasted it as far as I can blast it and fly all those traps. That reflects how I was feeling on the course. I was telling my caddie that I’m not scared any more. I used to be four years back but not anymore. I think that’s a major point in my career,” said Lahiri, who played alongside American world no. 30 Nick Watney in the final round.
Compatriot Jeev Milkha Singh, who finished seven shots behind Lahiri, predicted a bright future for his young countryman.
“I think it’s fantastic. He’s a youngster, he’s hungry and he wants to prove himself.
“I think he’ll do well. He’s got a lot of talent,” said Jeev.
“He just needs to come out and prove himself. The sky is the limit for him. If he keeps working hard, keep working on the right stuff, he’ll do well anywhere in the world,” said Jeev, a two-time Asian Tour number one.