Lahiri to make strong bid in HK Open

November 28, 2013. Familiarity with the Hong Kong Golf Club may give an edge to India’s Anirban Lahiri who would be heading for the US$1.3 million Hong Kong Open next week.

“There are a few tracks which are similar to character to the Delhi Golf Club and the Hong Kong Golf Club is another course which is similar to that. It’s a really good course which has withstood the test of time,’ said Lahiri.

“It’s a great track and another one of those classic tracks with lots of trees, small and elevated greens. You’ll need to control your shots from off the tees and you’ve got to come in from the right spots and right angles,” added Lahiri.

[highlight]I’ve had some decent finishes in HK, some good rounds and some mediocre rounds, so it’ll be a good opportunity to get things right [/highlight]

Lahiri, a three-time Asian Tour winner, and fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit,will be rated as one of the genuine contenders at Hong Kong’s sporting event, with some good finishes since the beginning of the year.

The Indian started the year on a winning note by sealing his third Asian Tour title on home soil and followed that up with four top-10s which included three runner-up finishes.

He will now launch another attempt of getting his first win abroad at the Hong Kong showpiece which takes place from Dec 5-8.

Expecting a better weather condition accompanied with the experience at the course can benefit him in the tournament.

“I need to keep going and stay patient. I’ve had some decent finishes in HK, some good rounds and some mediocre rounds, so it’ll be a good opportunity to get things right,” said the Indian, who finished tied-55th in the 2011 edition.

The Hong Kong Open is Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event where its early beginning dates back to 1959. It is co-sanctioned by The European Tour, the Asian Tour and the Hong Kong Golf Association.

The Hong Kong Open is the third event of The 2014 Race to Dubai, and one of the last on the 2013 Asian Tour schedule.

Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain will defend the title he won in record-breaking fashion 12 months ago when he became the oldest winner in European Tour history at the age of 48 years and 318 days.