January 23, 2017: The Anirban Lahiri train is off to a good start as he looks to rise up the order ahead of the Masters Tournament later this summer. The 82nd ranked Indian survived a difficult day on the Stadium Course battling with spirit and purpose. Though he stoked hopes of a top 10 finish with a 64 in the third round, Anirban had to settle for T25 owing to a 73 in the final round. Hudson Swafford shot a memorable 67 to claim his maiden PGA TOUR victory at the La Quinta Golf Club in California.
Anirban got off to a rocky start yesterday. A bogey at the first and a double at the third put Anirban on the back foot soon as he started his final round.
Anirban showed grit this week
The unrelenting Indian struck four birdies in a row to restore his card to under par territory. Another bogey at the ninth meant that he crossed over in an even 36 strokes.
Anirban buckled down to play with discipline, making six straight pars. But the course pushed him back again, extracting a double bogey at the 17th hole. Anirban finished with a birdie at the final hole to sign off with a 73.
Memorable maiden victory for Swafford
Swafford finished with a brilliant flourish to claim his first ever victory at this level. He produced three birdies and a par at the final hole for a one shot victory over a disappointed Adam Hadwin.
“They don’t give them away out here,” said Swafford. “It’s not easy. I’ve been close. I’ve been in the heat lately. Just keep putting myself in position, and this just feels unbelievable.”
Hadwin had thrown his hat in the ring with a sensational 59 in the third round. But an insipid 70 in the final round meant that he spurned a great opportunity to claim a win.
“I can’t help but be slightly disappointed,” Hadwin said. “I really wanted to come out here and kind of prove that yesterday was just kind of a continuation of some good play and kind of get it done today, but I got beat.”
“I felt like I did all the right things,” added Hadwin. “Just a couple shots here and there and who knows what could have happened. But an incredible week, my best finish ever.”
