Augusta National Golf Club
April 09, 2016: Anirban Lahiri found out late yesterday afternoon that he will indeed make the cut this week. He may have left Augusta National, hoping to get his head wrapped around the fact that he has a chance at redemption. But a 75 on Saturday put paid to any real hope for Lahiri, who suffered yet another painful round on an unforgiving Masters course. Lahiri is lying T38, eleven behind the pace set by defending champion Jordan Spieth. (Golf News)
Lahiri got off the blocks with a bogey five at the first hole, but worked right back with a birdie at the second.
Unfortunately for the Indian star, he had to endure blemishes at the third and fifth as he slipped to seven over.
Lahiri pulled one back with some brilliant golf on the seventh. Working from under the trees lining the fairway, Lahiri produced a brilliant cut that flew right under the flag off a low trajectory.
Having played nine holes without dropping a shot, it seemed possible that Lahiri might get back in the clubhouse about the same place as he was after the second round.
But the effort needed to stay in charge was taking a toll. Perhaps tired from the constant focus needed to survive this course, Lahiri seemed to drop the ball just a tad. Before he knew, Lahiri was inking back to back bogeys at 15 & 16.
He did persevere to ensure that he ended with a couple of even pars, but the damage was long done.
Lahiri has struggled this week in getting the ball on the green in regulation. He is making 50% greens in regulation, compared to 59% for the field, a massive disadvantage for the Indian.
He has made a triple bogey, which came Thursday. There have also been 12 bogeys, besides 7 birdies and 34 pars so far this week.
Lahiri is making 74% fairways, which means the second shot has been letting him down more often than not. The fact that he has three putted four times and is taking 1.59 putts to each hole is just adding to his numbers.
Anirban will start Sunday at 8-over 224 hoping that he can finish on a good note. He finished in 2015 making par at 25 consecutive holes and anything similar will give him great joy and push him up the order.
