After topping the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri wants to maintain the position till the end of the 2014 season.
The 26-year-old Lahiri claimed a stunning victory at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters on Sunday after producing a superb eagle on the 72nd, which raised his season’s earnings to $192,150.
Topping the Merit list was satisfying for Lahiri, whose world ranking also rose to a career-high 67th after he collected 20 points for his fourth Asian Tour success, and first outside India. “It feels great to be on top in the Asian Tour Order of Merit right now. One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to be a contender for the Order of Merit. I am glad I got off to a good start,” said Lahiri. “I just have to keep focusing on playing good golf and keep getting better as the year progresses.” Lahiri’s four international titles have placed him fifth on the list of Indians with most international wins — Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Arjun Atwal and Gaganjeet Bhullar have won more international titles. Lahiri is the 10th Indian to win a title outside India and it is the fourth year in succession that he has won an international event.
Since joining the Asian Tour in 2008, the Indian has enjoyed a meteoric rise, winning three titles at home before his triumph in Indonesia and Lahiri said the victory meant a lot to him. “I needed the world ranking points and I am really happy I won. I think I played much better than my score. I hit the ball well all week. I played really solid and this victory means a lot to me.”
Lahiri is the second-highest ranked Asian after Thongchai Jaidee, who is No. 49.
