India is set to have three golfing representatives at the Olympics in Rio
It is official now. India will have three proud representatives at the Olympics in Rio, playing golf for the country. Anirban Lahiri, ranked 62nd and SSP Chawrasia, ranked 207th in the world had secured their spots earlier this season. Aditi Ashok, the young sensation from Bengaluru has secured her place at the Olympics today, when the US Women’s Open had no impact on her ranking. She is currently 57th in the world.
While many prominent golfers have already given the games a pass or are thinking about it, Anirban and Chawrasia have been extremely excited about an opportunity to play under the national flag.
Aditi has been an international sensation ever since she won the qualifying finals to earn a full card on the Ladies European Tour. She has been competing with the best and holding up rather well, establishing her credentials as a precociously talented teenage golfer.
Anirban has earned nearly a million dollars in his first full season on the PGA TOUR. Golf is returning to the Olympics after a 112 year absence and Lahiri believes it could be a big boost for the game if he can bring back a medal from Rio.
“Managing energy levels and conditioning are a big challenge this season,” Lahiri told the Asian Tour. “I will look to skip a few events leading up to the big ones if I feel like I need to take a break.
“My coach will be here in America for two weeks to work on all aspects of the game and sharpen it up for the majors and the Olympics.
“Hopefully I can pace myself just right to peak during the majors and Olympics. That’s the goal.”
Anirban is at Royal Troon this week as the lone Indian at the Open in Scotland. He is optimistic about his chances for a good finish as he continues his preparations for the big events that dot the calendar.
“The Open is truly a special tournament,” said Lahiri. “I’ve had a couple of decent outings but feel like I missed out both times on a top-10 finish.
“Hopefully Troon suits my eye and I can play consistently throughout the week. A top-10 or better would be my goal this year.
“I like playing links courses,” Lahiri added. “You have to be creative and strategically efficient to play well on them. Also I am comfortable flighting down my ball-flight, which is a must in windy conditions.”
