Lahiri’s ‘big plans’ for 2014 season

February 25, 2014: He is currently best placed Indian on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) at 103. India’s golfing ace Anirban Lahiri is not stopping till he reaches his goal of entering the world top 50 ranking and also an European Tour card this season.

“I’m just looking forward to a good start to the season. My long term goal would be to break into the top 50-60 in the world. Probably to get onto the European Tour, win at least one title in the Asian tour. Lots to do,” Lahiri, who climbed to his career-best 101 last month, told reporters ahead of the SAIL-SBI Open.

“It is important to play well and have a good start so that I have the liberty to skip an event or two, or else I have go back to the European tour Q-school. I have to do well in the tournaments before that or else going to the Q-school will be the only option left for me,” he said.

[highlight] This is the only year that I have played a lot of golf before SAIL Open, so in a way I am match fit, said Lahiri [/highlight]

Currently ranked at No.3 on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, Lahiri along with compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar will make part of team Asia for gala EurAsia Cup to be held next month in Malaysia from March 27-29.

“It is one of the big events, this is one of the targets. It is a high profile event and it is a privilege to represent Asia and India. I really want to do well there.”

The 26-year old will be vying for an entry into the British Open through Open qualifying event in first week of March at Amata Spring Country Club.

“The good thing is once I come back from British Open qualifying next week, I will have a good two and a half weeks off before the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia. So I want to put in some work on my swings and game,” Lahiri, who finished third on the Merit list last season, said.

Lahiri wants to fine-tune all the low areas in his swing prior to moving into big league. He has been working with his coach to get better consistency in his swing.

“I have been playing good. I had a chance to see my coach Debecha. I got a piece of mind because he was not happy with my swing. I am working on my swing to be more consistent. This is a work in progress,” Lahiri said.

“I played in Eagleton with my swing change. Thereafter when I came to know about SAIL, I didn’t work on my swing, I was focusing on playing. I like to play on range when I am not playing events but when I am playing events I just want to focus on what best to do that week,” he said.

Two-time defending champion Lahiri is eyeing a hat-trick at the Asian Tour’s season-opening USD 300,000 SAIL-SBI Open, which will tee off at the prestigious Delhi Golf Club on Wednesday.This is Lahiri’s sixth appearance in the tournament.

“I had a good couple of seasons in the last two years because I had a good start to the season. It is important factor for success. This is the only year that I have played a lot of golf before SAIL Open, so in a way I am match fit,” said Lahiri.

“This is my sixth SAIL open and I have played in DGC. Despite the recent rains and winter, DGC is still in good shape and I have managed to find a strategy here and I would look to do the same this year and I hope to be win the title for the third time,” added Lahiri, who finished third on the Merit list last season.

Lahiri outplayed Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and compatriot Rashid Khan in play-offs in 2012 and 2013, respectively.