July 06, 2018: Anirban Lahiri is inching ever closer to finding the very best of his game. The Indian played a spectacular round of golf on Thursday to score three under 67. The Indian is lying T24 in A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier.
The Greenbrier Classic pays a rich tribute to the armed forces and Anirban is steeped in the traditions of the military with most of his family having served in the Indian army. Energised by the setting and its aura, Anirban played near flawless golf and even though he would have liked to have gone lower, the numbers should give him pride and confidence.
Anirban drove straight as an arrow, finding 86% of the fairways. He also made 72% of the greens in regulation, converting three birdies without ever conceding an inch to the course.
Webb Simpson posted the low score of the day with a sensational nine under 61, containing seven birdies and an eagle.
Korean Whee Kim continued his good vein of form, shooting a 62 punctuated by consecutive bogeys at the 6th & 7th holes. Kim shot six birdies on the front nine and added four more on his way to the clubhouse.
Anirban hit 12 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation on a satisfying day at work.
The action began early – Lahiri’s 115 yard approach shot ended just 6 feet from the pin at the par-4 first hole, setting up a birdie to start the round.
After making ten straight pars, Anirban drove 334 yard drive on the 568-yard par-5 12th. A good approach left Lahiri needing a chip. He did that to perfection, inching to within four feet of the cup to earn his second birdie.
Anirban signed off in style sinking a 12 footer to end the day with a 3-under on his card.
The teenage sensation Joaquin Niemann continued to mix it up with the big boys and do so with aplomb. He is lying in third posting a 63 on Thursday. The 19-year-old started on the 10th and shot five birdies in his first nine holes to set up a stellar round.
