Anirban Lahiri exudes optimism

A special feature by Anand Datla

April 07, 2015: At 27, Anirban Lahiri is an incredibly composed person. In his first formal interaction with the media at the Masters, the Indian exuded confidence and optimism ahead of his debut at one of the finest events in golf. Lahiri was quizzed about his game, the state of golf in India and expectations from the week. The world No.34 spoke with seasoned eloquence and poise to address each of the question with an assuring presence. All of that augurs well for the ambitious Indian golfer when he tees off on Thursday.

Anirban said, “The first time I got here on the golf course was yesterday and that was the first round that I played was yesterday,” in response to a question about his first impressions.

“Yeah, just taking it all in at once.  I think the first thing that hits you is how different it is from what you see on television, because that’s where I’ve seen Augusta. So some of those tee shots, standing on the tee, and I had my caddie with me; hey, this is more than five yards wide.  It sometimes looks not even five yards wide when you look at it on television, like standing on the 18th tee, for instance.”
“The first thing that hit me is how different it is to actually play, how different it is to actually be hitting those shots rather than watching those shots,” he added. “It’s quite different obviously.  It’s quite amazing and it’s a great feeling.”

Asked about his favourite memories from the Masters, Anirban spoke about Tiger Woods and Jeev Milkha Singh. “Well, I’m 27, so I’m very much a part of the Tiger era.  Obviously that was the Masters for me, the year he came out and destroyed everyone else and the golf course, if I may say so.  That was outstanding.”
“And that is one of those events, one of the years where it was huge for the sport.  And for me as a kid watching it, among other millions of kids, that was massive,” he added. “I have watched Jeev, who has played here two or three times, three times before I think, who has got off to good starts in the past and I think had a good finish, I think in the 20s once.  He’s led the event one or two times I think on Thursday through nine or 12 or 14.”

A billion people or thereabouts will be hoping that Anirban’s dream comes true and that the Indian is in the mix on Sunday. It could spur a huge new revolution in India. Of that, we can be as optimistic as Anirban is of his chances.