Anirban Lahiri recovers at HSBC

Edited by Anand Datla

Shanghai, November 7: India’s Anirban Lahiri got his campaign back on track after signing for a second round two-under-par 70 at the US$8.5 million WGC-HSBC Champions on Friday. (Read more in Golf)

The five-time Asian Tour winner cut a frustrating figure after he opened with a 74 but stayed resolute and bounced back with a two-day total of even-par 144 to share 27th place with a group of nine other players.

“I feel really confident about my game and it is just a matter of continuing to play this way and making a few more putts,” said the 27-year-old.

Starting on the back-nine 10, Lahiri parred the first four holes before picking up a birdie on 14.

After turning in 35, Lahiri started to dice with danger by dropping two shots with a bogey-bogey six on the par-four first.

However, he steadied himself by returning home safely with three more birdies on the second, fourth and seventh holes at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

“I played really well all day and I felt like I could have shot four or five-under especially on my front-nine but I didn’t make any putts.

“On the first hole, it was a silly mistake as I missed a short one and made a double there. It was slipping out of hand but I managed to bring myself back and keep myself calm,” said Lahiri.

With his small of legion of fans clamouring for his attention far away from home, Lahiri is ready to put up another performance deserving of his status as one of Asia’s finest talents.

“It’s nice to get the support especially when you’re traveling and away from home. It has been great these last few weeks and more people are now aware of the Asian Tour players thanks to the Tour’s media team,” smiled Lahiri.

The WGC-HSBC Champions is one of four World Golf Championships sanctioned and organised by the operational committee of the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. The other World Golf Championships include the WGC- Match Play, WGC-Cadillac Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.