AT&T Byron Nelson: Anirban Lahiri forces his way back into the weekend

Anirban Lahiri shot 65 in the second round on the TPC Four Seasons course

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Anirban Lahiri will hope to find some consistency on the PGA TOUR

Anand Datla

May 21, 2016: An outstanding round of golf helped Anirban Lahiri force his way into the weekend of the AT&T Byron Nelson in Irving, Texas. Anirban showed remarkable resolve as he produced a sensational 65, soaring 64 spots in the process to end the second day in T59. Ben Crane shot seven under 63 to surge into the halfway lead, one shot ahead of Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Bud Cauley and Sergio Garcia.

After a 72 in the first round, Anirban was at a grave risk of missing his fourth cut this season. He was lying outside the top 100 after 18 holes. But he produced three birdies on his first nine – at the 11th, 13th and 15th holes.

Anirban took just 33 strokes to complete his first nine holes, starting at the 10th hole. The bogey four at the 17th hole was the lone blemish of his round.

The Indian went one better on his second nine, producing a birdie at the fourth hole before adding a brilliant eagle three at the par-5 seventh hole.
Crane’s 65 and 63 took him to -12, giving him a narrow edge over four golfer tied in second, just one stroke behind after 36 holes.

Koepka shot 64 to add to his 65 from the first round. Spieth and Cauley have scored similar scored of 64 and 65 in the two rounds so far.

Overnight leader Garcia shot 66 to join the group in second. The Spaniard is bogey free through 36 holes. Danny Lee had a share of the lead at the end of the first round. But a 69 on Friday slipped him four strokes off Crane’s pace in front.

Crane hadn’t seen a top 10 finish since 2014 and his absence from the Players last week was a reminder of the decline haunting the 40 year old golfer. The disappointment seemed to have fired him though, as he tied the course record for the halfway lead with a stupendous effort yesterday.

Back to Anirban – the 28 year old Indian will be hoping that he can make it stick this time with a couple of good rounds over the weekend. Consistency has been Anirban’s biggest woe this season.

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