Lahiri records best finish on PGA Tour
India’s Anirban Lahiri shot one of the best rounds of his fledgling PGA Tour career with a bogey free seven-under 65 to finish a brilliant second at the Memorial golf tournament, here.
After shooting one of his best rounds, Lahiri then waited for over three hours to see whether his clubhouse target of 10-under would hold out for one of the most stunning wins this season.
In the end, Lahiri finished tiedsecond, as Jason Dufner found a second wind on the back nine and won by three. The 29-year-old Lahiri, who came into the week following a streak of three missed cuts and a ranking that was fast dropping, had the best card for the day as he rose from overnight tied 27 to finish at 10-under 272.
It was a score that stayed as the clubhouse target as the players grappled with a weather delay and a golf course that became demanding before the rain softened it late in the day. Dufner, who had a record 36-hole score of 14-under before plummeting to five-over 77 on the third, turned in nine-under after three birdies and three bogeys on front nine.
Dufner steadied himself on the back stretch with birdies on 10th (which brought him level with Lahiri) and then moved ahead with further birdies on 12th, 15th and 18th to cruise to a three-shot lead over the Indian and Rickie Fowler, whose bogeys on 14th and 18th saw him drop down down from a challenging 12-under to 10-under.
Justin Thomas (72), who pushed Lahiri behind to win the CIMB Classic last October, was fourth with Matt Kuchar (73) at nine-under.
Around the time Lahiri was finishing, Jack Nicklaus, the tournament host was in the commentary box, and said, “He (Lahiri) is a very fine young man and plays well. He is a member at the Bears Club.” Lahiri is a member at Nicklaus Bears Club, close to his place in Florida.
“It feels great to have my best at Mr Nicklaus’ event. He has been very kind to Ipsa and me ever since we met him. Being a member at the Bears and having the opportunity to speak to him and get his advice is really special,” Lahiri said. The tied-second finish was the best PGA Tour result for Lahiri, bettering his 2015 PGA Championship tied fifth finish and tied third 3 finish at 2016 CIMB Classic.