India’s Lahiri shows early promise at Mexico Open

PUERTO VALLARTA: Anirban Lahiri was five-under after 13 holes into the second round at tied-14th at the $7.3 million Mexico Open on Friday, at the time of going to press.

Lahiri, was hit a solid threeunder to be tied-34th after the opening round, hit birdies at the par-4 seventh and par-five 12th on Friday and was up 20 places and three shots off the leader Scott Brown.

Looking to cement his place for the season-ending FedExCup play-offs, Lahiri hit four birdies against one bogey on Thursday after starting from the tenth tee.

India’s other player in the field, Arjun Atwal, who last week returned to competition in New Orleans after a long break, shot two-over 73 after starting the round with a double bogey on the 10th.

Lahiri, runner-up at the Players this year, hit 14 of the 18 greens in regulation during his first round. Opening on the 10th, he got his first birdie on the par-5 12th and par-4 15th. He added a third birdied on the par-4 first hole and par-4 second. However on the 496-yard par-4 eighth, Lahiri chipped his third shot to eight feet but missed a par putt for a bogey.