Last two holes a bane for Anirban
ANIRBAN Lahiri could have made it a fourway tie for the first-round lead of the CIMB Classic had he not fumbled in the closing stages.
The 29-year-old Indian was on a flawless eight-under run heading into the two last holes. He undid all the good work when he bogeyed both holes to settle for a 66 – and fifth spot – at the TPC Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The two dropped shots left him two strokes behind joint-pacesetters Derek Fathauer, Keegan Bradley and defending champion Justin Thomas.
But Anirban, who ended the day as the best Asian finisher in the 78-man contest, was not disheartened.
It was, after all, still his best start ever in five appearances at the CIMB Classic. He started with a 71 in 2011; identical 74s in 2013 and 2014; and a 70 last year.
“It’s still a decent start,” said Anirban, who now plies his trade on the US PGA Tour.
“I’ve just got to take it one round at a time. Whatever happened is behind me, but obviously there’s a good, solid amount of confidence coming into this week.
“I just need to play with that for the rest of the event.
“I’m definitely in a good place, mentally. I have to just try and sustain that over the next 54 holes to give myself a good shot on Sunday,” added Anirban, who finished runner-up at last week’s Macau Open.
South Korea’s K.J. Choi of Korea and Japanese duo Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Ishikawa were the next best Asians in joint 16th place after matching 69s.
No Asian golfer has ever won the CIMB Classic since its inception in 2010. Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat came closest in 2013 when he finished joint third.