Macau Open:Lahiri finishes 2nd

October 20, 2013. India’s Anirban Lahiri played brilliantly to equal the course record set by Amandeep Johl in 2004, a sensational nine-under 62 at the par-71 Macau Golf and Country Club to finish Runners Up at the Venetian Macau Open on the final day.

“I`m really pleased. I played really good right from the start. Yesterday was a similar story but I ran into some trouble on the back nine. I`m glad I kept my cool and played solid in the end,” Said Lahiri after his thirteen-under 271 finish.

Lahiri was just three short behind Australian Scott Hend, who won his third title of the season.

[highlight]I don`t know if I`ve done enough this week but I`m still glad with the way I`ve played the last few days. Didn`t get on to the best starts but I`m glad my golf has improved in the past few weeks [/highlight]

The 26-year-old began the day four-under for 54 holes, cracked eight birdies, an eagle and dropped just one shot to have a shy at the title.

The big-hitting Hend comfortably held off the chasing pack closing with a four-under-par 67 to for a 16-under-par 268 total to add to his triumphs in Chiangmai and Taipei this year.

Hend picked up the champion`s cheque of USD 144,000. He was delighted to extend his magical season after opening his week with a dismal 74 and then going head-to-head with Els over three rounds.

Four-time Major champion, Els of South Africa shared third spot with Elmer Salvador of the Philippines after a 67 and 66, respectively in the USD 800,000 Asian Tour tournament.

Interestingly, the Banglore golfer Lahiri tied countryman Amandeep Johl`s course mark set in 2004.

Other Indians in the fray, Rahil Gangjee (72), lying fourth overnight, slipped to 11th at six-under 278, while Arjun Atwal (70) playing with Lahiri finished tied 13th at five-under 279.

Defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar (67) played his best round of the week and ended 22nd alongside SSP Chowrasia (69) and Chiragh Kumar (72). Himmat Rai (70) was tied 45th, Ajeetesh Sandhu (70) tied 53rd, Sujjan Singh (72) tied 57th and Shankar Das (76) was tied 63rd.

Lahiri, who has three wins on the Asian Tour, got to within two shots of Hend during the final round but was still delighted with his strong finish.

“I don`t know if I`ve done enough this week but I`m still glad with the way I`ve played the last few days. Didn`t get on to the best starts but I`m glad my golf has improved in the past few weeks.”

Lahiri is looking forward to forthcoming events to extend his improved form.

“There are some good events coming up, CIMB Classic next week, the Hero Indian Open and then the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf. It gets better and better. It`ll be great to keep this form going.”