'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chonburi, Thailand, December 14 (IANS)
Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri Sunday ended the Thailand Golf Championship with a tied sixth place, but it was enough for him to qualify for the prestigious 2015 British Open at the St. Andrews.
Lahiri signed off with a 73 to share sixth place with Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and American Jonathan Moore at the Thai showpiece. The 27-year-old totalled three-under 285 at the par-72 Amata Spring Country Club.
He, however, earned a well-deserved place at the 144th British Open as one of the top four players who are not otherwise exempted from the world's oldest Major.
"As a kid, I didn't watch too much golf but I always watched The Open at St Andrews," Lahiri said.
"You see all of the things on television that you dream of experiencing for yourself, like the Swilcan Bridge and the Road Hole Bunker. You hear all the stories and legends, but to be there in person will be something very special."
England's Lee Westwood claimed the title as he staged a fabulous comeback with a final round five-under 67 to win the $1 million Asian Tour event.
The former World No.1 won the inaugural edition in 2011 and made it another victory to remember by signing off with a four-day total of eight-under 280.
Overnight leader Marcus Fraser of Australia and Germany's Martin Kaymer had their chances to force extra-time play with Westwood but fell just short on the 72nd hole and settled for a share of second place on a total of 281.
Starting the round two shots back of Fraser, Westwood seemed to have fallen out of the equation when he opened with two successive bogeys.
But the Englishman showed his mettle with a stunning comeback where he fired four straight birdies starting from the par-four sixth hole.
He continued his amazing birdie blitz by marking his card with more red numbers on the 11th, 14th and 15th holes to seal his win.
Lahiri also responded positively to a disappointing day by declaring his intentions to be back to challenge for top honours again.
"I'm obviously very disappointed with how I played today. There were lot of positives out there for me and I was struggling on my game today.
"At least for my consolation I earned a spot at The Open next year. That would put some balm on my wounds. I've had a great year and I have a lot to look forward to," said Lahiri.
Final Scores:
280 - Lee Westwood (ENG) 70-71-72-67.
281 - Martin Kaymer (GER) 71-72-70-68, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 69-72-70-70.
283 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 71-69-73-70.
284 - Scott Hend (AUS) 70-74-71-69.
285 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-71-74-68, Jonathan Moore (USA) 71-71-72-71, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 71-73-68-73.
286 - Sergio Garcia (ESP) 71-75-71-69.
287 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 76-72-71-68, Paul Peterson (USA) 71-72-75-69, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 77-69-72-69.
288 - Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 69-77-73-69, Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 76-74-68-70, Charlie Wi (KOR) 74-72-71-71.
289 - Kodai Ichihara (JPN) 78-68-72-71, Daisuke Kataoka (JPN) 74-73-71-71.
290 - Danny Chia (MAS) 77-74-72-67, Berry Henson (USA) 73-72-74-71, Wang Jeung-hun (KOR) 73-72-73-72, Unho Park (AUS) 76-74-68-72.
