Anirban Lahiri off to T18 start

Report by Anand Datla

April 10, 2015: Wake up to a solid start from Indian golfer and Hero MotoCorp ambassador Anirban Lahiri. The world No. 34 shot a commendable 71 on Thursday to plant himself along side Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama and defending champion Bubba Watson inside the top twenty at the end of the first round. He was in a group of dozen other men lying at T18 after the first round. Ernie Els turned many a page back to shoot 67 to lie three shots behind Jordan Spieth, who seemed to have been playing to an altogether new standard. The young American played impeccable golf to finish 8-under 64 to dominate the opening day.

Lahiri made seven straight pars to get his first ever round at The Masters to a steady start. His first birdie came at the par-5 8th hole. But the course took it straight back when he suffered a bogey at the ninth.

Undeterred, the 27 year old continued to play with a monk like focus and calm. After making six consecutive pars on the back nine, he made a two at the 16th to earn another birdie.

He finished off the round without further incident to sign off on a one under 71 to complete a sensational start to his first ever day at the iconic event.

Starting at the Tea Olive, Lahiri got off to a 284 yard tee shot at the first hole. His second shot took him to within 32 yards of the pin and he took two from there – a chip to 6 feet off the pin before a calm putt for par.

His first birdie came at the Yellow Jasmine. The first shot sailed 285 yards, managing to avoid the fairway bunker to the right by just a few inches. He nearly reached the green with a 250 yard second shot, before pitching to within 3 feet from the pin. He putted without any fuss for his first birdie.

At the 460 yard, par-4 ninth hole – Lahiri drove 300 yards, to land in the middle of the fairway. Lahiri sent his ball just past the pin with his second shot, laying it just 13 feet from the flag. Sadly for him, he three putted from there to take a bogey.

At 170 yard, par-3 Redbud, the 16th hole – Anirban played a near perfect tee shot to sail past the water and within twenty feet from the pin. He sank that putt with a steady hand and impressive calm to earn only his second birdie of the day and jump inside the top 20.

Lahiri was solid through the first round – making 13 of 18 greens in regulation and working the fairway with regularity. He made 8 of 14 fairways and will perhaps look to do better on that count in the second round. His putting average was right with the field at 1.67, with Sergio Garcia the leader at 1.29