Special feature by Anand Datla
March 05, 2015: It is a big week for Indian golf, with the participation of Anirban Lahiri in the WGC Cadillac Championships. The Indian golfer is generating a lot of interest around golfing circles with his success this season, having already won two European Tour titles in the Maybank Malaysian Open and the Indian Open. But with the eyes of the world on him, Lahiri faces a stiff challenge this week as he seeks to acquit himself well at the Trump National Doral. (Latest Golf News)
Lahiri is scheduled to tee off later this evening from the 10th tee at 12:39pm in Miami. It is a 614 yard test that needs the golfer to navigate past water and a slew of bunkers that protect the fairway and the green. There is also a narrow canal that accompanies the green to the left, but that should not be very difficult to avoid on this par-5 hole.
The next hole is a par-4 that stretches to 422 yards with a diagonal bunker that cuts across the fairway. The tee shot is best placed behind the bunker from where the golfer can plan his approach to the green.
The next two holes – 12 & 13 – are a 601 yard par-5 and a longish par-3 that mesaures 238 yards respectively. The trick there will be to keep out of the bunkers and use the pronounced contours of the greens well enough to try and gain a shot.
The key feature of the par-4 14th hole is a long and deep bunker that protects the green. The pins are typical to the left of the green that is protected by this bunker. The 15th is a deceptive trap of water and sand for a short par-3 that measures just 153 yards.
The 16th is a relatively short par-4 over 341 yards, with the main test coming on the green that offers the host a variety of pin positions that bring the bunkers into play to make this another seemingly innocuous yet difficult test for the golfers.
The 17th and 18th are even handed par-4s measuring 425 and 476 yards respectively. The 17th green is interesting for its narrow contour and 18th is protected by a water body that runs nearly the length of the fairway to the left.
The first hole is a 590 yard par-5 that demands precision and planning from the golfer. We might see Anirban wanting to lay up his second shot in the region of a fairway bunker that sits right in the middle and play over it. Even then he will need to avoid sliding right, where a hungry body of water is eagerly waiting to swallow the ball.
The par-4 second is protected by a generous spread of bunkers around the green, the 436 yard third features a peach shaped beauty that is guarded by a body of water to the right that could penalise any hint of waywardness.
After getting past the par-3 fourth, golfers will be challenged at the fifth by an elevated green with bunker protection on either side. There is a birdie on offer on the 436 yard sixth hole, for those that keep out of the sand.
Water shall be in play at the 7th where the pins on the front of the green could prove a tricky test. It might make sense for Lahiri to sail past the pin and work backwards from there.
There are three bunkers guarding the front side of the par-5 eighth hole, with the green sloping toward the pond on the left. Lahiri will want to use plenty of spin to find the green and then prevent it from rolling too far.
The ninth will need the golfers to play well off the tee. It is a 200 yard par-3, with water through the length of the green on the right side. The Doral is an interesting course with plenty of water to supplement a generous sprinkling of bunkers. We are set for an intriguing few days as we get a chance to watch Lahiri take this stern American test.
