Anirban Lahiri is now hoping his debut at this week’s USD 9.25 million World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship will lead him a step closer towards his dream of becoming India’s first Major champion.
The 27-year-old Lahiri, the current Asian Tour number one, won the Maybank Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open in a span of three weeks last month, rising to 34th in the Official World Golf Ranking which puts him in position to play in all four Majors and qualify for the International team for the Presidents Cup this season.
“It’s quite amazing so much has changed,” said Lahiri, who will tee off at the Trump National Doral in Doral, Florida on Thursday.
“I didn’t expect to be in this situation that I am now. I’m happy it’s come and it’s a fantastic time. I’m at a point in my career where I hope to move westward and the wins have helped. I’m excited.”
His recent exploits ? which makes him one of the hottest players on planet golf as he has now racked up four wins in the past 10 months have seen him draw media interest from all over the world, especially from the United States.
Anirban Lahiri insists it is time for him to take the next step and put in a strong showing when he makes his WGC-Cadillac Championship debut on Trump National Doral’s notorious Blue Monster this week.
Lahiri was named The European Tour’s Golfer of the Month for February after winning the Maybank Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open last month, having only come through Qualifying School three months earlier.
Now the Indian, whose only previous World Golf Championships appearance came at the HSBC Champions last year, is hoping to match defending champion Patrick Reed and win at the first attempt at the famous Florida venue.
“It is exciting – this is my first time here, and it’s been fabulous; it’s been fantastic,” said Lahiri, who has climbed to 35th in the Official World Golf Ranking on the back of his recent successes.
“I got here on Saturday night and it’s only gotten better since then, so I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.
“I just have to go out there and play the way I’ve been playing. At the end of the day, whether I play well in Asia or Europe or here, you’re still trying to do the same thing. Take the least number of shots, put the ball in the hole and I just need to do that.
“It’s a big ask [to win] and I think it’s fabulous for Patrick. It just goes to show, it’s possible and it’s doable. Why not?”
Having held off Bernd Wiesberger by a single shot in Malaysia, Lahiri proved his debut victory was no fluke when he came from behind to snatch a second title on home soil, beating compatriot S S P Chawrasia in a play-off just a fortnight later.
The 27 year old added: “It’s been a good whirlwind – everybody hopes for whirlwinds like that; it’s been fantastic.”
“I’ve always believed that I can win, and win in big events and I’m glad that it happened. It made that belief a reality, and that helps my confidence coming into weeks like this. It’s time for me to take the next step and prove that I can compete, contend and maybe even win in events like this.
“I’m just taking it one step at a time. I think when you have a period of golf like I have recently, it’s very easy to get ahead of yourself and start projecting into the future.
“That’s one of things that I’ve improved upon over the last few years – I’ve matured.”
