Ace Indian golfer Anirban lahiri fought back well from an early stumble in the final round of the Hotel Fitness Championships and ended tied-6th in the first of the four-event Web.Com Final series.
lahiri, the highest world ranked player in the field, and winner of the Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open this season, carded one-under 71 and at 13-under 275, he was tied for sixth. Sweden’s Henrik Norlander shot a course-record 10-under 62 to win by three strokes in a come-from-behind victory at 19-under 269 for the tournament on Sunday evening.
Korea’s D.H. lee, who started the day with a three-stroke cushion, got off to a fast start with birdies on two of the first three holes, but faded down the stretch with three bogeys to post a 1-under 71 and finish at 16-under 272 in a tie for second.
lahiri, who admitted he may have tried too hard, was still happy with his Web.Com Tour debut. lahiri will now tee up coming Thursday at the next event, Small Business Connection Championship at River Run, while resuming his quest for TOUR status at next week’s.
“It was probably a case of trying too hard,” said lahiri, who played his first 12 holes Sunday in 2 over before making three late birdies.
“It was not the Sunday I expected. But I am happy with the fightback and progress in the Finals 25. I need to build on this week. I went out there and tried to push from the get-go, and I really didn’t need to. I think it hit me like a bolt of lightning on the 12th green when I missed my putt for birdie. I was like, ‘You know, what the heckIJ I just need to enjoy myself a little bit more.’ I played well coming in, so I’m happy.”
Willing himself to enjoy and put less pressure on himself, he found three birdies on last six holes on 13th, 15th and finally the 18th, where he had double bogeyed earlier in the week.