The worldâs his oyster and Indiaâs Anirban Lahiri has shown yet again why he is becoming a global phenomenon.
Not once but twice in three weeks has the 27-year-old emerged triumphant against a stellar field. It was also the Indianâs fourth victory in 10 months where his first win abroad at the 2014 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters broke down all mental barriers and sparked his incredible run.
Lahiriâs remarkable feat is matched only by world number one Rory McIlroy, who has achieved four wins and three runner-up finishes in his last seven European Tour events.
The Indianâs superb run of form has caught even himself by surprise.
âI didnât think I would win after the last three days of golf. It is fantastic. Now the whole world is opened to me. Iâm really excited. This is what dreams are made of,â said Lahiri.
Lahiriâs rapid rise is significant as he has now holds seven wins on the regionâs premier Tour at just 27 years old, eclipsing the likes of Indiaâs golfing legends, Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa who only had four, three and two wins respectively when they were Lahiriâs age.
Singh, a six-time Asian Tour winner, is delighted with Lahiriâs progress and believes he will continue to put India on the world map and spearhead the Indian charge on the global stage, just like he did.
âItâs good to see the young Indian players doing well especially Anirban who is inside the top-50 in the world. These kids have more knowledge and awareness about fitness and what they need to work on. They have the right guidance by their coaches and they work hard at it. Thatâs the main reason why these young players are doing well especially Anirban.
âIn the future, I think we will see more young players coming out from India and they will be inside the top-50 in the world,â said Singh.
Asian Tour chairman, Kyi Hla Han is pleased that players from the regionâs premier Tour have made an impact in recent weeks which only goes to highlight the growing strength of the game in Asia.
âLahiriâs latest win has made it five consecutive victories at the last five co-sanctioned events with the European Tour.
âOur members have shown that they can be counted upon to make an impression on the big stage and Iâm confident this trend will continue,â said Han.
Lahiri tighten his position atop the Asian Tour Order of Merit where he now leads Australiaâs Andrew Dodt by US$417,970 after amassing US$772,300 in just three events.
The Indian is now determined to ride on his good fortune and form in his pursuit for more glory.
âI have to stay focus and ride the momentum. I got a slice of luck and that doesnât happen often in everyoneâs career where things go so well. Iâm going to try to keep playing well and see what happens,â said Lahiri.
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Asian Tour Order of Merit (Top-20)
Pos Player Earnings (US$)
1 Anirban LAHIRIÂ Â (IND) $772,300.00
2 Andrew DODTÂ Â (AUS) $354,330.00
3 S.S.P. CHAWRASIAÂ Â (IND) $229,639.55
4 Scott HENDÂ Â (AUS) $218,710.00
5 Thongchai JAIDEEÂ Â (THA) $207,670.00
6 Richard T. LEEÂ Â (CAN) $184,233.33
7 Paul PETERSONÂ Â (USA) $134,400.00
8 Marcus FRASERÂ Â (AUS) $115,771.43
9 Wade ORMSBYÂ Â (AUS) $109,700.00
10 Jason KNUTZONÂ Â (USA) $92,583.33
11 Prayad MARKSAENGÂ Â (THA) $90,550.00
12 Kiradech APHIBARNRATÂ Â (THA) $84,933.33
13 Carlos PIGEMÂ Â (ESP) $81,400.00
14 Nathan HOLMANÂ Â (AUS) $78,200.00
15 Jeunghun WANGÂ Â (KOR) $71,533.33
16 Mithun PERERAÂ Â (SRI) $71,250.00
17 Thanyakon KHRONGPHAÂ Â (THA) $64,510.00
18 Shiv KAPURÂ Â (IND) $53,000.00
19 Prom MEESAWATÂ Â (THA) $49,921.43
20 Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKULÂ (THA) $45,520.00
