Khon Kaen, Thailand, 30-11-2014
Anirban Lahiri claims joint runner-up finish at King's Cup
Anirban Lahiri of India came close to winning his third Asian Tour title of the year at the King’s Cup but finally had to settle for a joint runners-up finish as veteran and local favourite Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand sealed a two-shot victory with a 20-under-268 total at the US$ 500,000 Asian Tour event.
Wiratchant brought all his experience to the fore as he posted a final round of five-under-67 to upstage the overnight leader Lahiri who came up with a two-under-70 on day four to end up with a tournament total of 18-under-270.
Australian Andrew Dodt shared second place with Lahiri after he submitted a card of 67 on the final day at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club.
Lahiri, who recently earned his card for the 2015 European Tour season, signed off with scores of 65, 67, 68 and 70. Anirban’s final round saw him pick up strokes on the eighth, 11th and 16th. He dropped a lone bogey on the 13th.
The Bangalore-based professional, currently ranked second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, was within one shot of the lead till the penultimate hole. However, Wiratchant’s birdie on the final hole prevented Lahiri from bagging his sixth Asian Tour title and his third of the year. Thaworn thus wrapped up a record 18th Asian Tour title.
Lahiri, who led from the opening day, said, “I wasn’t at my best today as I was really struggling on the greens. I had my chances and I just didn’t take them. I don’t think I played poorly but it was just not good enough to close it out. I just missed way too many putts and it was disappointing to miss a short one on the last and that is going to hurt my world rankings. I’m upset with that. I just got to pick myself up and win next week.”
Anirban’s performance at Khon Kaen has helped him further reduce the gap between himself and Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States. Lipsky leads the merit list with season’s earnings of US$ 682,610. Anirban is in second place with earnings of US$ 564,354. There are now three events remaining in the 2014 Asian Tour season.
Lahiri, who won the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters and the Venetian Macau Open earlier in the season, is now also set to improve on his current world ranking of 76 courtesy his runner-up finish on Sunday.
The 27-year-old Indian had achieved his career-best ranking of 64 soon after his win in Indonesia earlier this year.
Anirban’s runner-up finish this week ensures Indians continue to enjoy a superb international season in 2014. So far Indian professionals have six international titles to their credit this year. The six titles are shared between Anirban Lahiri (2), Rashid Khan (2), SSP Chowrasia (1) and Chikkarangappa (1).
Rashid Khan carded a 66 in the final round to climb from overnight tied 37th to tied 13th at 11-under-277.
SSP Chowrasia made it three Indians in the top-20 as he finished one shot behind Rashid to secure tied 16th.
Arjun Atwal (three-under-285) slipped 29 places to tied 54th after a 75 in round four, while Chikkarangappa (one-under-287) closed the tournament in tied 63rd place.
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