A superb weekend combination of 67-66 saw Anirban Lahiri land the Venetian Macau Open, his second title of the year and his fifth career win on the Asian Tour.
The 27-year-old Lahiri, whose goal this year has been to get into the top-50 of the World Rankings, shot a final round of five-under 66 to finish at 17-under 267 and edge out the in-form and overnight leader, Scott Hend of Australia (69) and Thai Prom Meesawat (66) by one stroke.
He had started the week in the 90th spot in the rankings and could now move up to 72nd.
Lahiri dropped just one bogey in his last 44 holes. He had six birdies, four on the front nine and two on the back nine and his only blemish was the bogey on seventh. His previous bogey came on the first hole, after he started from the tenth on the second day.
A proof of his consistency was that he had two flawless rounds — 61 on first day and 67 on third and he wavered only on the second when he dropped five bogeys in his 73.
Among other Indians, Shiv Kapur was eighth with 274, while Jyoti Randhawa was tied 15th with 278. Jeev Milkha Singh was tied 26th with 285 and S.S.P. Chowrasia was tied 32nd with 286.
Lahiri started the day two shots behind overnight leader, Hend, who was coming fresh off a win in Hong Kong last week.
Lahiri and Hend, both of whom admitted to liking playing with each other — Hend was winner last year with Lahiri second at Macau 2013 — turned in 32 each.
Lahiri had four birdies on second, sixth, eighth and ninth and one bogey on seventh on front nine.
On the other hand, Hend had an eagle on second and birdies on seventh and eight and a bogey on ninth. Hend’s lead of two was still intact.
