San Francisco, California, 30-04-2015
Anirban Lahiri wins opening match at WGC Matchplay
India’s Anirban Lahiri got off to a terrific start at the WGC-Cadillac Match Play as he beat American Ryan Palmer 4 & 2 in his opening group match.
Anirban, the current Asian Tour number one made six birdies and never trailed in the match, which he closed out on the 16th hole when Palmer conceded defeat.
The event features 64 players with each player competing in three round robin matches in his group before the field is cut to 16 players. Lahiri thus has two more round robin matches remaining in the group stage..
Lahiri, who has won twice this season, said: “I played really solid and didn’t make mistakes. I kept it tight and made a few putts and that helps. I was pretty happy.”
An opening birdie saw world no. 35 Lahiri quickly take control of his match against Palmer, who is ranked 23rd in the world. Lahiri made further birdies on the fourth, sixth and ninth holes but with Palmer also making some birdies, the Indian made the turn 1 up.
A mistake by Palmer saw Lahiri go 2 up on 10 and a birdie on 13 saw him go 3 up. With Palmer in with a chance to birdie 14, Lahiri produced a chip-in birdie of his own to preserve his advantage.
“The only hole that I won with a par was the 10th. I think Ryan had a chance on 14 and I chipped in from the rough to keep it three up and that was very important. I’m looking forward to playing with Justin Rose tomorrow. I’m playing a lot better and I guess match play helps me focus better. I’ll try to do the same tomorrow,” added Lahiri, who has been in the US for over two months now.
Anirban had NBA star Andre Igoudala, guard-forward for the Golden State Warriors, cheering for him from inside the ropes through his round on Wednesday. The 10-year NBA star picked up golf just two years ago and this past Sunday had the opportunity to play with Lahiri in San Francisco.
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