Anirban wants to erase memories of last year’s meltdown
KUALA LUMPUR:
Indian Anirban Lahiri (pic) will be out to erase the hurt from last year’s agonising final-round meltdown when he returns to compete in the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur from Oct 12-15.
Anirban headed into the final round with a four-shot lead but suffered a dramatic collapse with a quadruple bogey nine on the parfive third hole.
He ended up joint third as American Justin Thomas went on to retain his title.
The two are among the 60 US PGA Tour stars set for the US$7mil (RM29.39mil) showpiece.
The field boasts 10 Major champions and 18 winners from the PGA Tour’s 2016-17 season which will conclude with the Tour Championship this week.
The CIMB Classic is the second tournament of the new 2017-18 season after the Safeway Open from Oct 5-8.
And Anirban, who will play his third full season on the PGA Tour, again hopes to use the CIMB Classic as the launch pad to a strong start.
He believes his decent finish in Malaysia last October has helped him to finish well this season. He ended 51st in the FedExCup standings, thanks to a runner-up finish at the Memorial Tournament as well as three other top 10 results.
“It’ll be fun to return to the CIMB Classic. I came close to winning the tournament last year before finishing third and it’ll be my intention to try and produce my best golf again to contend for the tournament,” said the 30-year-old.
“I’ve enjoyed playing at TPC KL where I also won the Malaysian Open in 2015, so it’s a golf course which I feel very comfortable on.
“As the CIMB Classic is part of the new season, it’ll give players the opportunity to get off to a strong start in the FedExCup race. Looking back, the high finish in Malaysia last year helped set me up for the rest of the season which culminated to me being picked for the Presidents Cup.”
The Major winners who have committed to play are Americans Keegan Bradley, Stewart Cink, Jason Dufner, Lucas Glover, Davis Love III, South African stars Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, Irishman Padraig Harrington and Thomas.
Thomas has enjoyed an outstanding season with five wins, including a first Major triumph at the PGA Championship in August.
CIMB group chief executive Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz expressed his delight with the strong cast assembled for the eighth edition.
“We are pleased to once again welcome a truly world-class line-up at this year’s CIMB Classic. It will feature an eclectic mix of 46 PGA Tour winners ranging from established champions, veteran stars and emerging young talents.
“Without a doubt, defending champion Justin Thomas will be the hot favourite as he is enjoying a truly spectacular year which began with a successful CIMB Classic defence last October,” said Tengku Zafrul.