Hua Hin, Thailand: Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri is determined to scale greater heights when he takes his place as the highest-ranked player at the inaugural $2 million (Dh7.35 million) Thailand Classic that tees off on Thursday.
The 27-year-old, ranked 37th in the world, is enjoying one of the best times of his career, having claimed his biggest victory in Malaysia last week.
Voted as the Players’ Player of the Year in 2014, Lahiri’s latest triumph was his sixth win on the Asian Tour and third victory in 10 months. It was also his first win on the European Tour.
“It’s a very exciting period for me right now. I’m playing well and one of the many goals that I’ve set for myself is to crack the top-50 and that win last week has made it possible,” said Lahiri.
Lahiri is not planning to rest on his laurels and is determined for a greater push up the world order, starting with another assured performance at the Black Mountain Golf Club this week.
“I had a big boost in my world rankings after Malaysia. But the next two weeks here and in India are going to be crucial for me to play well. It’ll seal up my place in the Masters and a host of other major events. I’ve got a lot to play for. Last week was great, but these two weeks are equally important for me to keep the momentum going in the right direction,” said Lahiri.
Lahiri will be up against players from the Asian and European Tour in the richest golf tournament of Thailand, which is also the first co-sanctioned tournament by both Tours in Thailand in eight years.
He will face a strong European Tour field that includes Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn as well as Spaniards Miguel Angel Jimenez and Alejandro Canizares, who finished tied third in Malaysia last week.
Meanwhile, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club announced its first seven female members on Wednesday, including Swedish great Annika Sorenstam and Britain’s Princess Anne.
The club voted in September to end 260 years of male-only exclusivity by voting in favour of inviting women to join.
R&A captain George Macgregor described the admittance of seven female honorary members as “a historic day for the club.”
Sorenstam, a 10-time major champion from Sweden, wrote on Twitter: “I am very honoured to be one of the lucky ladies.”
Princess Anne, who competed in equestrian for Britain at the 1976 Olympics and is an IOC member, is the only female honorary member who hasn’t played golf competitively.
Two other British honorary members are Laura Davies, who has won four majors, and Belle Robertson, an amateur great.
