August 14, 2016: Anirban Lahiri was raised in an environment that is defined by its sense of pride and dignity. As the child of an army officer, he grew up among a breed of men and women that think nothing of laying their lives on the line in the name of our nation’s honour. Needless to say, Anirban has imbibed those qualities and the manner of his golf underlines those values.
Naturally, the outcome in Rio would have left him deeply scarred as he ended the week at 10-over 294. Expect him to work hard and prepare for Tokyo in four years, determined to erase the bitterness of the Rio Olympics. For now though, Anirban needs to walk away with his head held high, knowing that he will remain an Olympian to the end of his life.
Anirban started his final round knowing that he was playing just to salvage pride, in the first group to tee off on Sunday. Any hopes of a redemption rested firmly on getting off to a smooth flyer over the first few holes.
Unfortunately though, he conceded a bogey at the par-3 fourth hole to slip down to 10-over. Birdies at the fifth and eighth helped Anirban to regain a shot as he made the turn in 34 shots.
His hopes dissolved into the Rio Sun after making the turn. He began his second nine with a pair of pars, but three bogeys in four holes from the 12th meant that he remained firmly entrenched in the double digits over par.
Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman was also having a difficult day as he conceded six bogeys in his final round. At the time of this report, he was four over for the round and set to finish alongside Anirban near the bottom of the leaderboard.
But this is the Olympics and the experience will remain with them for the remainder of their lives. No matter what they will remain Olympians for life and Siddikur especially also enjoyed the pleasure of carrying the flag for Bangladesh in the opening ceremony.
Expect these two fine golfers to work doubly hard to come back in four years’ time and give a fine account of themselves.
