Anirban Lahiri lying T17 in #MMO

Report by Anand Datla

February 05, 2015: Indian golfers were far from impressive at the Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur. Anirban Lahiri, the pick of the nine Indian men in action, was lying T17 after shooting 70 in the opening round. Lahiri did well to recover from a sudden dip which saw him make three bogeys in four holes on the front nine. But none of his other compatriots managed to break par on a day when the low score was a 66 by both Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell.

Indians are out in force at the event, co-sanctioned by both the Asian and European Tours, but after a dismal first round most of the contingent will be seen fighting for survival on Friday. Shiv Kapur was the second best Indian on display, making an even par 72 for his round. Rashid Khan and Jeev Milkha Singh, both produced 1-over 73 on Thursday.

Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a 74, which was two better than the 4-over effort by a struggling SSP Chowrasia. Arjun Atwal was rubbing shoulders with Chowrasia after he too signed off with a 76 through 18 holes at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Rahil Gangjee was signing on a 5-over 77 with Jyoti Randhawa trailing him with a 6-over 78.

Lahiri made two straight birdies at the second and third to get off to a rousing start. But he was soon pulled back by the course, as he stumbled to bogeys at the 5th, 6th and 8th to quickly go one over through the front nine. But a birdie at the tenth hole helped the highest ranked Indian golfer regain his composure.

Anirban added two more birdies to take his score below par – making three at the par-4 12th and 14th holes. he took just 33 to get through the back nine, recovering from a 37 for the first nine holes. The Indian made 13 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation. Incidentally, the fairway he missed was at the tenth, but he recovered with some smart play to make birdie at the par-5 hole.