Lahiri picked for President’s Cup

Honestly, Nick (Price) has been great but I was not expecting it (to be picked). My last few events have not been great and I would have understood not being picked. When Nick called last night, we (wife Ipsa and himself) were having dinner. I thought the call was to tell me ‘Sorry, we are unable to have you on the team this time...’ — that kind of a call. But when he said, ‘You are in,’ I could not believe it. He had to repeat it. — ANIRBAN

LAHIRI on being selected for President’s Cup golf

Anirban Lahiri will make his second appearance at the President’s Cup after International captain Nick Price sprung a surprise by selecting the Indian as one of his two wildcard picks for the September 28 to October 1 event at Liberty National in New Jersey, USA.

Besides Lahiri, Price picked Emiliano Grillo of Argentina as the other wildcard for the International Team.

On the other side, the US captain Steve Stricker picked veteran Phil Mickelson and Charley Hoffman.

Two years ago, Lahiri became the first Indian to qualify for the International Team of President’s Cup in Korea on the back of a brilliant season, when he won in Malaysia and Hero Indian Open in a matter of weeks. But he was left gutted after missing a crucial putt that cost the International team a vital half point. So, the Indian ace gets a chance to make amends as he created history by getting into the President’s Cup a second time.

Lahiri was over the moon at his selection. “Honestly, Nick (Price) has been great but I was not expecting it (to be picked). My last few events have not been great and I would have understood not being picked.

“When Nick called last night, we (wife Ipsa and himself) were having dinner. I thought the call was to tell me ‘Sorry, we are unable to have you on the team this time...’ — that kind of a call. But when he said, ‘You are in,’ I could not believe it. He had to repeat it.”

Lahiri added, “After the call was done, Ipsa and I kept staring at the food. It was just incredible for him to have so much faith in me. He was so comforting last time around after the final hole in Korea in 2015.”

Lahiri said he has been waiting for an opportunity to redeem himself and would look to contribute to the team's success this year.

“It’s been two years waiting. Obviously I’ve been wanting to get back on team ever since that day in Korea. Since that day, I have personally felt I had some unfinished business,” he said.