Hotel Fitness Championship: Anirban Lahiri slips to finish T6

September 14, 2015: Anirban Lahiri wasn’t at the top of his game this week. The fact that he did fire himself into contention underlined the young golfers ability to pursue his goals even when not at his best. But after staying in contention for much of the Hotel Fitness Championship, Lahiri fizzled out on Sunday – posting a non-descript 71, made special only by a string of late birdies. The 28 year old finished T6 at 13-under 275. Henrik Norlander came out of the deep blue to shoot a course record 62, covering a six shot deficit to clinch the title.

The Swede was mighty impressive as he finished at 19-under 269 to seal victory. “I got off to a great start,” said Norlander, who has secured his PGA Tour card for next year. “I made a bunch of putts on the front nine and was six-under and kept it going on the back nine and hit some really good shots on some tough holes.”

Lahiri though will be far from impressed with himself, given that he is chasing some good results at the three Web.com Tour Finals events he is scheduled to play.

The top 25 at the end of the four event series earn the right to play on the PGA Tour in 2016. Anirban collected a cheque for $34,750 for his efforts this week, far from enough to secure his future in America.

Korea’s D.H. Lee, ahead by three at the start of the day, dissipated into the chasing pack as the round progressed. Eventually, he survived three bogeys down the stretch, to secure a tied second at 16-under 272. Joining him in second was Michael Thompson, who shot a 7-under 65, to nearly secure his PGA TOUR card for next season.

Anirban made consecutive bogeys at the 2nd and 3rd holes as he slipped very early in the final round. The first birdie came at the eighth, but it was negated by a bogey five at the tenth.

To his credit, Lahiri played some purposeful golf towards the end – making three birdies to sign off with a 71 and a tied sixth. The last two seasons – Bobby Gates earned $33,650 in 2013 for the 25th card, while Eric Axley took it last year with an earnings of $36,311. Anirban will look to play well this week to try and get himself out of the grey territory with another good finish.

The next event is the Small Business Connection Championship at River Run starting 17 September.