New Delhi: For years Anirban Lahiri was always at unease when he came to the Delhi Golf Club. He was unable to crack through for a win and then he seemed to have discovered some ‘mantra’ and now the DGC is something he would wrapping up and taking it with him wherever he goes.
His two Asian Tour wins have come here – at the Panasonic Open India in 2011 and then the SAIL-SBI Open in 2012. Now he is just one sot of the lead held by Siddikur and looks all set to launch an assault and retain the title he has so worthily held since last year.
Coming back after a six-under following rounds of 71 and 68 on first two days, he is now at 11-under and one shot behind Bangladeshi Siddikur, who calls Lahiri a ‘good friend’ and someone he loves playing with.
Going into the final round on Saturday, he will be among the favourites for the title, which if it comes will be his third on Asian Tour and the third at DGC. Six years into a pro career that has been going in the right direction, Lahiri is showing all the maturity that is expected of a champion.
Lahiri said, “I was just thinking to myself that I enjoy being on this golf course. My head is really clear what I need to do in terms of playing this course. I’m saying this before and I’m going to keep saying it, there’s only one way to play it whether you’re ahead or behind. You have to respect the golf course and put it in play and try to make the best of the par fives. Putt well and you’ll have a good round. I can’t reinvent the wheel and stick to what I’ve been doing the last few years.”
On the third day, he added, “I’m really happy with the way I played. It’s the best I have played all week. I feel I’m getting more comfortable on the greens. Just a couple of bad swings and got away with pars, which was important. I hit it good.”
But not all was hunky dory, as the 66 might suggest. Yet Lahiri took it in his stride. “Four putts kind of stood at the lip but (I am) not going to complain as some fell for me in the end. I’m happy with where I am right now.”
Talking of the way things are at the DGC, he added, “If you’re not playing late in the day, conditions are going to be good and the greens are going to be better. I think the course has gotten better and it’s good. I had a fantastic day. It was great playing with Shiv as I’ve always looked up to him. He got off to a hot start and I was just trying to stay up with him. It was great.”