In-form Lahiri claims Indian Open title

AnirbanLahiriCropped

Anirban Lahiri capitalised on SSP Chawrasia's final-round collapse to win the Indian Open in a play-off on home soil - his second title from the last three European Tour events.

Having claimed his maiden victory on tour at the Malaysian Open two weeks ago, Lahiri clawed back a seven-stroke deficit with a 69 on a dramatic day of action as compatriot Chawrasia fell apart to sign for a five-over 76.

It was little surprise, then, that Lahiri was the one to prevail at the first extra hole after the two Indians finished on seven under, birdieing the par-five 18th to wrap up a triumph he scarcely believed was possible at the start of Sunday's play.

"It's incredible - starting today I didn't really think I had a chance," Lahiri said in quotes reported by the official European Tour website.

"It was one of the toughest days ever that I've played golf at Delhi Golf Club and I'm really happy to have accomplished this: it's a childhood dream.

"I was just trying to play well and give myself a chance on the back nine.

"There were about eight of us who could have pulled through so I feel really lucky and fortunate, and really happy."

A host of players had a chance to win the tournament outright, not least of all Chawrasia, who held a two-shot overnight lead.

But his hopes took a hit with three dropped shots across the third and fourth holes, with further bogeys at seven, 12, 14 and 16 proving costly.

Chawrasia's woes offered Siddikur Rahman a brief stint at the summit of the leaderboard, but he too finished with a 76 as he lost his way on the back nine.

A quartet of players finished one shot back, with Joakim Lagergren, Prayad Marksaeng, Mithun Perera and Marcus Fraser all left to reflect on missed opportunities.

For the winner, though, things are looking up as he moves to second in the Race to Dubai standings.


 

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