My aim is to win overseas: Lahiri

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Anirban Lahiri

Bengaluru-based golfer Anirban Lahiri who had an up and down 2012 season that began well but tapered off midway, is looking forward to the Louis Phillippe Cup which will be played from February 11 to 16. Ahead of the championship, he looks back at the year gone by and speaks on his goals for the coming season. Excerpts:

On your 2012 season: It was great to get my second win so early in the year at the Sail SBI Open. It’s always nice when you win the second time because it proves that, you know, it wasn’t a fluke. Following that, I played very consistently through the year and probably, the icing on the cake was the British Open Championship!
In the second half, I didn’t play to the best of my abilities but I still managed to perform decently. It was nice to play in the CIMB Classic, a PGA Tour Event. All in all, it was a very important season for me and to finish in the top 10 of the Asian Tour makes it that much nicer! But, that’s all in the past now. I need to re-set my goals and focus on moving forward.

On what was the highlight: I couldn’t have asked for a better performance on my debut (at the British Open). That was a very very special week for me, also getting the hole-in-one in that tournament, is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

And the low point: Like I said, there were a lot of events where I was in a good position and I couldn’t finish on the winning note. That perhaps is something that has its share of lows, but I’m looking forward and taking things positively from all my experiences over the last year. And obviously, there will always be some shortcomings but I’m working on that and I’m trying to make sure that I don’t repeat them this year.

His favourite tournament: The British Open Championship.

On the Louis Phillippe Cup: For me, it was fantastic experience. The Louis Phillippe Cup is played in an exciting city teams format in Matchplay where last year we went all the way into the final. This year playing for Bengaluru again, we will surely be a tough one to beat.

On his goals for the off season: I’m working very hard at improving my putting (because) that’s one area which will definitely help my game improve and otherwise, my general fitness level, you know if that can go up. So these are few areas I’m working on in the off season.

On his hopes for 2013: I would like to play on the Asian Tour and win many more titles. Over and above that, I’m looking to pick my tour card on Europe and may be qualify for a grand slam but my focus is to going on European Tour and to win overseas.