Anirban Lahiri is confident he can mount a strong defence of his national title when he tees it up at the Hero Indian Open this week.
India’s number one, and the world’s 52nd best player, is the highest ranked in the field but will face a stiff challenge from the likes of four-time runner-up SSP Chawrasia, whom he beat in a play-off last year, three-time Major champion winner Padraig Harrington and recent European Tour winners Marcus Fraser and Scott Hend.
Last year’s triumph at the Delhi Golf Club was a second win in three weeks for Lahiri as he enjoyed a superb season which included a fifth place finish at the US PGA and a President’s Cup debut. However, he has not been in the winner’s circle since and is confident home comforts can help him taste victory again.
As well as being the top-ranked player in the field, Lahiri is also the top-ranked Indian in the Official World Golf Ranking, taking on the role of flag-bearer for a country establishing itself more and more on the international golfing stage.
The 28 year old admits that the extra pressure that comes with that responsibility could be a distraction, but he is proud to fly the flag for a nation of over a billion citizens with the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on the horizon.
The Olympics is also a huge goal for Irishman Harrington, who last played in India at the 1992 Amateur Golf Championship of India in Calcutta, and in the intervening years has forged a brilliant career, amassing 14 European Tour victories, including his Open Championship double in 2007 and 2008, as well as the 2008 US PGA Championship.
The 44 year old last tasted victory just over a year ago in the USA, but he is intent on returning to the winner’s circle in New Delhi.
Anirban Lahiri: “This is one of the events where you want to keep coming back and defending over your lifetime. It is not something that I’m not used to because I’ve defended some titles in my career before. It is a good feeling to have and you know that it can be done under the pressure of what you need to do come Sunday. The whole exercise is to put yourself in the position again.
“It is a massive privilege to represent your country and constantly be asked about India and golf in India. I’m certainly hopeful of being a contender at the Olympic Games. I have been playing well and I can compete at that level.
“Rio is obviously important not only for me and whoever joins me but it is important for golf in India. It is a great opportunity for us to do something in the sport that gets witnessed and showcased unlike any other golf event because it is the Olympics. Do I have medal hopes? Yes I do. I definitely think I can contend and hopefully get a medal for India.”
Padraig Harrington: “Every week I go out there, I look to be in contention heading into the last nine holes. I know if I did that every week, then I know I will have enough wins by the end of the year that I’ll be happy with. The goal is to have a chance and feel the pressure on Sunday. It is a strong field this week, probably stronger than I imagined. A lot of European players have come here as it is perfect scheduling time.”
