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Macau, October 26, 2014: Anirban Lahiri of India picked up his second title of the year after posting a gallant five-under-66 in the final round of the Venetian Macau Open on Sunday. Lahiri totaled 17-under-267 for the week as he signed off with scores of 61, 73, 67 and 66. It was Anirban’s 16th career title and his fifth on the Asian Tour. Australian Scott Hend, the defending champion, who was tied for the lead with Lahiri with one hole to play, bogeyed the 18th and ended up in joint second at 16-under-268 along with Prom Meesawat of Thailand.
Shiv Kapur (73-67-67-67) claimed eighth place at 10-under-274 after a third successive 67 to finish as the second Indian inside the top-10. Jyoti Randhawa secured tied 15th place at six-under-278. Jeev Milkha Singh was tied 26th at three-under-281 while SSP Chowrasia was a further shot back in tied 32nd.
Anirban Lahiri, who ended day three in second position, two off the lead, came up with four birdies against a lone bogey on the front-nine to stay in touch with the leader Scott Hend. Lahiri’s birdies on the 14th and 15th helped him take the sole lead for the first time. Hend made it all square with a birdie on the 16th. The two golfers made pars on the 17th to be at level terms with one hole to play. Anirban, however, held his nerve and clinched the title with a par on the 18th even as Scott dropped a bogey.
Lahiri thus became the second Indian to win the Venetian Macau Open after Gaganjeet Bhullar. Bhullar had won the event in 2012.
Lahiri, currently ranked no. 90 in the Official World Golf Rankings, now stands to make significant gains in the world rankings. The Bangalore-based professional had achieved his career-best ranking of 64 soon after his win in Indonesia earlier this year. Anirban is also set to gain ground on the Asian Tour Order of Merit where he is currently placed second. The 27-year-old Indian’s victory in Macau will help him narrow the gap between himself and Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States.
Lahiri’s win on Sunday was the 62nd international win by an Indian. It was also the third title triumph by an Indian in the 2014 Asian Tour season after Rashid Khan's win at the SAIL-SBI Open and Anirban's win at CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters.
