Shah Alam: Indian star Anirban Lahiri is ready to help Team Asia trump Europe in the second edition of the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM in January, saying last season’s inaugural edition provided the springboard to his rapid rise to fame.
Lahiri, the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit champion-elect and the world number 41, has locked his place in the 12-man squad which will be captained by compatriot Jeev Milkha Singh at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club from January 15 to 17.
The 26-year-old Lahiri delivered two points for Asia in the inaugural edition last year which included a 2&1 singles victory over Frenchman Victor Dubuisson. Asia rallied to force a thrilling 10-10 draw with Europe, who led by 5-0 after winning the opening day’s Fourball session.
“The first EurAsia Cup meant a lot to me and it was a very important event in my career. It really helped my confidence and it was my first taste of team golf at the highest level. I have great memories of it, it was such a fantastic week and I can’t wait to go back. This time, we want to keep the EurAsia Cup in Asia,” declared Lahiri.
He has vivid memories of his second day’s Foursomes match with partner Siddikur Rahman against Joost Luiten and Dubuisson. With Asia rallying after the first day’s demolition, Lahiri holed a pressure-packed six foot par putt on the 18th green in the last match of the day to seal a one-hole win and put Asia 3-7 closer to Europe.
“My favourite memory was probably the match with Siddikur. It came down to the last hole and I had to make a six-footer to win our match and it was a really important putt as the team needed that point desperately. It was a fantastic moment. Sunday was also special but in terms of what that point did for us on Saturday, it was very important. Without that point, Sunday would have been harder for us,” said Lahiri.
“I think after the first day, a lot of people had written us off. There was a lot of talk and hype in the media which wasn’t very positive. It was a key moment for us on that final day to get the tie which was very important.
“The atmosphere in the team room on the Sunday evening was fantastic. It felt like a victory, having come back from where we started. It was a massive team effort. Every player contributed. Every player put his heart out on the line and that was what made the week the most special.”
He believes his singles triumph over Dubuisson, who was then fresh from a runner-up finish at the WGC Match Play event, reinforced the self-belief that he could match the world’s best golfers.
A few weeks after the EurAsia Cup, Lahiri won first title outside of India at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters before adding another triumph at the Venetian Macao Open. He maintained his great form by winning the Maybank Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open in February to break into the world’s top-50 for the first time and also represented the Internationals in the Presidents Cup. He also enjoyed a top-five at the PGA Championship.
Lahiri said the pressure of playing for a team was different than any other golfing week.
“You’re not playing for yourself. A lot of times, you’re playing to the strengths of your partner, especially when you’re playing foursomes. It’s also a lot more aggressive than you would play in strokeplay. A lot of different things and emotions are different too,” he said.
“The EurAsia Cup is a very, very important event. It’s a fantastic addition to our Schedule, the fact that we can get the opportunity to play in an event like that is very important. I could feel the benefit of it going into the Presidents Cup this year as well. Team golf complements team golf and it’s important to have that event.”
The EurAsia Cup will feature 24 matches, with day one showcasing six Fourball matches, followed by six Foursomes matches and 12 Singles matches on the third day.
The winning team will share prize money of US$3.6 million while the runners-up will share US$1.2 million.
Team Asia will be selected as follows: the leading four available Asian players from the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit as of December 14, the leading four eligible and available Asian players from the Official World Golf Ranking as of December 14, and four captain’s picks.
About DRB-HICOM
DRB-HICOM Berhad is one of Malaysia’s leading conglomerates with core businesses in the Automotive and Defence; Services; and Property, Asset & Construction sectors. With more than 90 active companies in its stable and over 60,000 employees group-wide, DRB-HICOM’s aim is to continue adding value and propelling the nation’s development. In the Automotive and Defence sector, DRB-HICOM is involved in the manufacturing, assembly and distribution of passenger and commercial vehicles, including composites component supply for aircrafts. In Services, DRB-HICOM is involved in various businesses, including concession and financial-related services. In Property, Asset & Construction, DRB-HICOM is involved in residential and commercial developments.
About Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM)
Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered on 5th August 2010 in Malaysia. As a non-profit organisation, PGM’s objectives are to promote the sport of golf and to contribute towards its enjoyment and growth as well as to conduct and/or coordinate training on golf-related courses in order to enhance the playing capabilities and hone the skills of professional golfers in Malaysia. Our ultimate goal is to produce good Malaysian Professional Golfers in time for the Olympics in 2016 and to see Malaysians in the world ranking list. The PGM Tour provides a platform for Malaysia’s professional golfers to enable them to focus on playing while PGM shoulders the responsibility of arranging and financing these tournaments. For further information, please log in to http://pgmtour.com.my
About the Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include FENIX Golf (Official Apparel Supplier), Fuji Xerox (Official Office Solutions Partner), Hilton Worldwide (Official Hotel Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Sponsor), Oakley (Official Eyewear and Footwear Sponsor), Srixon (Official Ball), Titleist (Official Web Partner) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). Sentosa, Singapore is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur. Also, visit us at www.asiantour.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf, www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf.
About The European Tour
The European Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf from the origins of the professional game, building a proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity as well as showcasing our diverse global talent and rich landscapes. The European Tour's innovative approach enables us to embrace the world, combining championships of tradition with new tournaments in the cities and countries of the future. The European Tour International Schedule, which from 2009 has incorporated The Race to Dubai, is a thriving global brand which, in 2015, will feature a minimum of 48 tournaments spread across five continents; the European Challenge Tour focuses on the up and coming players of the future; while the European Senior Tour provides a new start for champions celebrating their 50th birthday. The European Tour’s corporate identity features the iconic silhouette image of six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon who gives his name to The Harry Vardon Trophy, presented to the player who is crowned European Tour Number One and winner of The Race to Dubai at the end of the season.
