Dream come true for Rohit Gupta, carries bag for Anirban Lahiri

Rohit Gupta of the Emirates Golf Club carried the bag for Anirban Lahiri through the first two rounds in Dubai

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Rohit Gupta of the Emirates Golf Club carried the bag for Anirban Lahiri through the first two rounds in Dubai

November 20, 2015: Luck smiles in mysterious ways. Rohit Gupta is a happy camper, having been at the receiving end of some unlikely good fortune this week. The local golfer from Dubai was on the bag for India No.1 Anirban Lahiri for the first two rounds of the DP World Tour Championships on Friday.

The Indian sprung back from a disappointing 73 in the first round with an improved performance in the second round. Lahiri shot 67 to rise up the order and extend his week in Dubai. The top ranked Indian golfer is sitting at a relatively comfortable 4-under 140 with the promise of yet another good finish well within his grasp.

“He played superbly. It was a pleasure seeing him,” said an obviously delighted Gupta to the PTI.

Gupta was pleasantly surprised on Wednesday when he received a call from the Emirates Golf Club, asking if he would carry the bag for Lahiri. The Indian golfer’s professional caddie was the victim of visa trouble and could not travel to Dubai. Rajiv Sharma has been on the bag for Lahiri in each of his seven victories.

“I got a call from the club and immediately I said yes!” gushed Gupta in his conversation with the PTI. “It’s a bit overwhelming but it’s been really good. I had to skip work for two days which was no problem! It’s been a great experience.”

“I knew of him obviously – he’s India’s biggest and brightest shining golf star at the moment but I’d never met him,” said Gupta, a decent golfer himself with a handicap of two.

“The players are so relaxed out there. You’d think they would be pumping themselves up and trying ‘beat’ the ball into the hole but they’re very relaxed.”

“It’s been a lot of fun,” acknowledged Lahiri. “Obviously I miss having my regular caddie Rajiv on the bag – that goes without saying. But having said that, I don’t think I’m a very demanding guy on the course and Rohit has been fantastic. He’s had a great attitude on the golf course and it’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed all the time we’ve spent together on the golf course this week and I’ve made a new friend.”

“It’s not about money. It’s about much more than money, just to be given the experience is wonderful,” added an elated Gupta. He will be relieved of those duties on Saturday with Lahiri’s friend Neeraj set to take the bag for the final two rounds.

Pic Credit – www.sportstarlive.com

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