Report by Anand Datla
July 16, 2015: Anirban Lahiri was a picture of confidence ahead of the 144th Open Championship. As prepared as he may have felt, not many pundits shared in the optimism of this young golfer. An unperturbed Lahiri produced an impeccable effort in the first round to underline his growing reputation as a golfer set for bigger laurels. Lahiri shot a brilliant 69 to set up a promising week at the most prestigious tournament on the most hallowed garden of golf, the St. Andrews.
A swarming group of butterflies must have been floating through his guts, but Lahiri betrayed no nerves on his debut at the Old Course. He played like a seasoned veteran, starting with consecutive birdies at the first two holes.
After navigating a difficult stretch through the next four holes on an even keel, Lahiri struck again with another birdie at the 7th hole. Eventually, he needed just 33 shots to navigate the first nine holes.
The back nine has been known to torture the soul of golfers, and it tested Anirban. But in the end Lahiri managed to walk out relatively unscathed, nullifying a pair of bogeys with back to back birdies at the 14th and 15th holes to account for an even 36 on his way back to the clubhouse.
On a course that is known to trouble the most seasoned golfers, it was a commendable effort from Lahiri, who never played this spectacular set up in the past. The 51st ranked golfer made 81% fairways, needing 30 putts to complete the 18 holes.
Lahiri drove an average 287 yards, making 83% greens in regulation – both numbers directly contributing to a successful round of golf for the Indian.
Dustin Johnson stood tall with a brilliant 67 followed by six golfers on 66. Jordan Spieth, the heavy favourite to win, posted a neat 67 to plant himself within sniffing distance from the leading bunch of players.
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