Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri on Monday rose 15 places to world No. 38 on the strength of his tied fifth finish at the PGA Championships, the fourth and final Major of the year.
Lahiri, who shot sub-par rounds on each of the four days, climbed up from No. 53 at the start of the week to No. 38.
However, his career-best is No. 33 which he attained at the end of March this year soon after his twin triumphs at the Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open, both events co-sanctioned by European and Asian Tours.
Lahiri also moved back into the top 10 on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings and is now placed at No. 8. The top 60 will qualify for the season-ending Race to Dubai event.
Lahiri continues to reign on top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Among the many records that Lahiri set this week was that his tied fifth was the best by an Indian at any Major, surpassing Jeev Milkha Singh’s tied ninth at the PGA Championships in 2008.
He also became the first Indian to shoot sub-par scores in all four rounds in a Major and his total of 13-under was the best in relation to par by an Indian at any Major.
En route his fine finish, Lahiri’s five-under 67 in the second round was also the best round by an Indian at any Major.
Lahiri, who was ninth and on the borderline of automatic selections (Top-10), is also expected to move up to seventh on President’s Cup rankings and seal his place on the international team, which will be announced on September 8.
The Top 10 in the standings are automatic selections with two more players being picked by the captain. The President’s Cup is an event held every two years between the United States and the Rest of the World (minus Europe).
