Sensational win for Anirban Lahiri in Indonesia, achieves maiden success outside India

Anirban Lahiri of India in action during the final round of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters at Royale Jakarta Golf Club on April 27, 2014 in Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia, April 27, 2014: Anirban Lahiri finally tasted success outside India with a sensational win at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters on Sunday thanks to a fantastic 20-feet eagle putt on the final hole. It happened to be his 15^th title triumph and fourth win on the Asian Tour as he shot scores of 70, 69, 64 and 68 to total 17-under-271 for the week. Baek Seuk-hyun of South Korea and Australian Cameron Smith finished as joint runners-up with, one stroke behind Lahiri.

SSP Chowrasia (71-66-69-68) claimed tied fifth place at 14-under-274 while Rashid Khan (70-70-64-71) secured ninth position at 13-under-275 to make it three Indians in the top-10.

Anirban Lahiri, who played a key role in Team Asia’s strong comeback that helped them achieve a draw against Team Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup last month, came up with three birdies against a lone bogey on the front nine. He sank two more birdies on the 12^th and 14^th accompanied by a double-bogey on the 13^th. However, his crowning glory was the 20-feet eagle conversion on the par-5 18^th hole. The eagle on the closing 18^th helped Lahiri come from one stroke behind and overhaul Baek Seuk-hyun’s 16-under total.

Lahiri, currently ranked no. 102 in the Official World Golf Rankings, has a good chance of making his way back into the top-100 once the updated rankings are released on Monday. The Bangalore-based professional had achieved his career-best ranking of 99 last month.

The 26-year-old Anirban had won all three of his previous Asian Tour titles on home turf in India at the Delhi Golf Club. Lahiri’s win on Sunday was the 60^th international win by an Indian. It was also the second title triumph by an Indian in the 2014 Asian Tour season as Rashid Khan had won the SAIL-SBI Open in March.

Two-time European Tour winner SSP Chowrasia returned a four-under-68 in round four to be the second Indian in the top-5. SSP’s final round featured five birdies and a bogey.

Rookie Rashid Khan carded a one-under-71 to occupy ninth place and continue his rich vein of form. Rashid’s final round was a mixed bag of five birdies and four bogeys.

Jyoti Randhawa ended up in tied 13^th with a total of 11-under-277 and Rahil Gangjee finished tied 22^nd at six-under-282.

Arjun Atwal had a tally of two-under-286 and claimed tied 39^th place while Sujjan Singh finished 66^th at nine-over-297.

Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “Hearty congratulations to Anirban for his first Asian Tour win outside India. Anirban’s spectacular performances have taken him to the pinnacle of Asian golf and inspired many young Indian players to follow in his footsteps. We wish Anirban all success for the future.”