TGC: Experience counts for Anirban

December 16, 2013. Perhaps, this was one game where India’s Anirban Lahiri did not want fourth place finish, after coming so close to winning position. The 26-year-old Indian is disappointed, but certainly hopes to surge back in 2014 with all the experience he  gained in Thailand Golf Championship.

His final round finish with a one-over-par 73 to share fourth place with last year’s champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, world number four Justin Rose of England and Japan’s Yuki Kono, was not a solace at all.

“It was a disappointing round today. I don’t think I was as focused as I needed to be on the greens. I missed a lot of putts, especially on the back nine. I couldn’t get any momentum. Any time I hit a good shot, I would miss the putt,” said Lahiri.

[highlight]I think it’s been a positive week for me, a great experience playing with Henrik and Rickie yesterday and Sergio, to see how all the best in the world go about their business, tells you what you need to bring about in your own game [/highlight]

Lahiri’s greatest gift at the Amata Spring Country Club was the experience of playing alongside winner Sergio Garcia and world number three Henrik Stenson in the final group in the final round, saying it would come to good stead when he gets back into a similar situation in the future.

“I think it’s been a positive week for me, a great experience playing with Henrik and Rickie (Fowler) yesterday and Sergio, to see how all the best in the world go about their business, tells you what you need to bring about in your own game,” said Lahiri.

“Personally with my game, I think the putter ran hot and cold. It was really good the last couple of days. I had to just keep it going, nine more holes maybe today. But I’m happy. There’s a lot of work I need to do on my game but it’s been a good year. I’m looking forward to some time off, feeling a bit tired as well,” added the Indian.

With one win and six top-10s, including three runner-up finishes, Lahiri is poised to enjoy his best season of his burgeoning career. He is ranked fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

“I think this is probably my most consistent year. I’ve played really solid golf. My game has become much sharper than it was. In terms of my ball striking, I think it’s been on and off. It comes and goes, Lahiri said.

“Maturity will come I guess. I am now getting to 26 now and I was playing with Rickie yesterday and I was the oldest guy in the group. So, six years on Tour, the experience should be there, so hopefully draw on it and win a few more events.”