ID :
382511
Mon, 10/05/2015 - 12:08
Auther :

Lahiri Aims For Malaysian Double Victory At CIMB Classic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, India's Anirban Lahiri aims to clinch a magical Malaysian double victory when he tees up at the US$7 million (about RM30.75 million) CIMB Classic later this month. According to an Asian Tour statement Monday, the 28-year-old Indian star is enjoying the season of his life where he has claimed two victories, enjoyed a career high tied fifth place finish in a Major and earned a debut appearance at the President's Cup. But Lahiri is certainly not finished yet with his stellar 2015 campaign and hopes a return to the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club's West course from Oct 29 to Nov 1, will see him standing victorious again on the 18th green, as was the scene during the Maybank Malaysian Open in February. "It's probably going to be one of the most important events of the year for me," said Lahiri, who is ranked 40th in the world and has finished third and second on the Asian Tour rankings in the past two seasons. "Going to back to Malaysia for the CIMB Classic will be great especially after what happened at the Malaysian Open. It'll be an opportunity for me to challenge again," he added. With the CIMB Classic returning for a sixth edition next month, Lahiri hopes to capitalise on the opportunity to trump the stars from the PGA Tour. Two months ago, the Indian golfer enjoyed a standout performance at the PGA Championship, the year's final Major, which he said has given him an added dose of confidence in his quest to win a PGA Tour-sanctioned tournament. "Coming in joint fifth at the PGA Championship, it's been fantastic. There was so much that I took away from the week. The confidence and self-belief that I gained and earning the respect of the best players in the world...that's not easily done. "When you can do that, you want to snowball it and play better consistently. That's going to be my next effort. You have work on the game and maintain the high level of play. You’re not scared," said Lahiri, who has seven wins on the Asian Tour. He believes the 10 Asian Tour players to be featured in the CIMB Classic, the only PGA Tour and Asian Tour sanctioned event in Southeast Asia, will have every opportunity to challenge for the title at the West course. "It's a great opportunity for all of us and you're exposed to a different level of golf. Cameron Smith did great by finishing fifth last year while Prom Meesawat and Angelo Que also had top-10 finishes. "It was a great sign and fantastic for us to see. They matched the PGA Tour players shot for shot. We have the talent and ability in Asia. We don't get overwhelmed anymore," said Lahiri. -- BERNAMA

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