It was a decade ago that Anirban Lahiri got introduced to the Jaypee Greens. The national trials for an Asian junior event were on, and Lahiri, 14, developed an instant affinity for the venue. “I’ve always been comfortable here,” he’s maintained over the years.
The relationship took a knock in 2008 when, playing alongside the “big boys” of Indian golf, Lahiri floundered to surrender the lead on the final day of the BILT Open. The record was set right the following year and trophy in hand, he came away chirping, “The past has been changed.”
Lahiri’s overall card of 20-under 268 bettered the course record, set by Jyoti Randhawa in 2008, by a shot, but that seemed to cut little ice. The connect complete, he was already eyeing the future. “The next time I play here, I would like to beat the big boys,” he had exclaimed.
The intervening period has seen Lahiri grow in stature — defending the title when the setting shifted to the Karnataka Golf Association in Bangalore last year, and also picking up his maiden Asian Tour title earlier this year.
The transition to the big league may have happened, but the fierce competitor he’s known to be, Lahiri would still be going over the short wish list.
{{/usCountry}}The transition to the big league may have happened, but the fierce competitor he’s known to be, Lahiri would still be going over the short wish list.
{{/usCountry}}Ranking points for Albatross event
New Delhi: The Albatross International Junior Golf Championship (AIJGC), the third edition of which will be staged at the Classic Golf Resort from November 22-25, will now carry World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, making it a premier event on the international junior calendar.