18 August,2015 08:24 AM IST | | PTI
Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri yesterday rose 15 places to world number 38 on the strength of his unprecedented tied fifth finish at the PGA Championships, the fourth and final Major of the year
New Delhi: Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri today rose 15 places to world number 38 on the strength of his unprecedented tied fifth finish at the PGA Championships, the fourth and final Major of the year.
Lahiri, who shot sub-par rounds on each of the four days, climbed up from No. 53 at the start of the week to No. 38. However, his career-best is No. 33 which he attained at the end of March this year soon after his twin triumphs at the Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open, both events co-sanctioned by European and Asian Tours.
Lahiri also moved back into Top-10 on the European Tour's Race to Dubai Rankings and is now placed at No. 8. The top-60 will qualify for the season-ending Race to Dubai event. Lahiri continues to reign on top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, holding a handy of USD 550,000 over the next player, Andrew Dodt.
Among the many records that Lahiri set this week was that his tied fifth was the best by an Indian at any Major, surpassing Jeev Milkha Singh's tied ninth at PGA Championships in 2008. He also became the first Indian to shoot sub-par scores in all four rounds in a Major and his total of 13-under was the best in relation to par by an Indian at any Major.
En route his fine finish, Lahiri's five-under 67 in the second round was also the best round by an Indian at any Major. Lahiri, who was ninth and on the borderline of automatic selections (Top-10), is also expected to move up to seventh on President's Cup rankings and seal his place on the International team, which will be announced on September 8.
The top-10 in standings are automatic selections with two more players being picked by the Captain. The President's Cup is an event held every two years between United States and Rest of the World (minus Europe).
