LIV Golf International Series: Anirban Lahiri hopes for a strong Indian show in front of home crowd

LIV Golf International Series: Anirban Lahiri hopes for a strong Indian show in front of home crowd

Anirban Lahiri is thrilled to have an International Series event at home that will showcase some of the very best in the game.

“It is a very big deal to have this event at the DLF Club. There are a lot of firsts in this event, including the presence of a current Major champion, apart from multiple winners of the professional tour”, said Anirban, on Thursday.

“It is perhaps the best field to play in India. For youngsters, children and amateurs, it is in such events that dreams are born. When you see the top stars from close, the whole competitive environment motivates you and channelises your dream,” said Anirban as he stressed the point that Indian golfing community would get a taste of the highest level of the game.

Hinting at the efforts in bringing the event to India, Anirban said, “Bryson (DeChambeau) is bullish about taking his brand of golf all over the world. He is wired differently and an amazing student of the game. Despite the concerns of Delhi belly, pollution, everyone was very keen to come to India, which is generally viewed as an exotic destination.”

Grateful to everyone who has chosen to visit India, Anirban revealed that plans are on to help the players “experience India”, apart from having some fun events, like teeing off one of the buildings.

Despite the presence of many stars, Anirban did not discount the chances of an Indian, including himself, being in focus and emerging as champion on February 2.

“Golf is a game. You have to be on top of your game at any given point of time. The No.1 may play his ‘B’ game, and the No.5 may play his ‘C’ game. I’m sure, some of us will spring a few surprises,” he said.

Elaborating, the 37-year-old Anirban said that a lot of players would be returning to the circuit, “fresh and eager”.

“I have been training with my coach Vijay Divecha for about 10 days in Ahmedabad, sharpening my skillset. I am feeling very good about my game. I have also been training with my performance coach Nimrod Vromen in Bengaluru,” said Anirban.

“It is time to take the car to the race track,” he said.

He hoped that the DLF Course would be set up in a fair way, to strike a fine balance between risk and reward. He was also convinced that “striking the ball well and finding a lot of greens” would be the key to good scores.

Looking back at the last season, Anirban felt that he did not take advantage of his chances and “fell short, tantalisingly close”, especially in missing the US Open play-off by one shot.

He said that the goal was to play at a high level through the reason, rather than two or three times, as was the case last year.

Having missed the first place at the LIV Golf in Andalucia in the play-off to Sergio Garcia in 2024, Anirban said that he was eager to “get the first win, to get the monkey off the back”.

Among the legion of Indian golfers, Anirban has the best performance in a Major, as he was tied fifth in the PGA Championship in 2015.

“As long as I play golf, I will be trying to get to the Majors and perform well”, he said.