Anirban Lahiri should not be too displeased with his performance in the Open Championship 2015 at the St. Andrews in Scotland. The only Indian player to feature in the golfing major this year scored a total of -6 at the end of 72 holes in the championship.
The 28-year-old Arjuna awardee, who appeared in his second British Open, was teed off with 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie of Scotland, and that was an experience in its own for the Bengaluru lad.
"I played with Paul Lawrie and he's a past champion. He's so comfortable on the greens and it took him just five seconds to know where his putts were breaking," said Lahiri, via an Asian Tour release.
"For me, I was still trying to figure it out. So, that speaks volume of what experience does and it showed in me today," said Lahiri.
Lahiri, three-under for the first nine holes, dropped four shots in the stretch between the 13th and 17th, but he closed with a birdie to ensure an even par end to the tournament. He finished with rounds of 69, 70, 71 and 72 for a total of six-under 282.
He was tied 31st at that time.
Lahiri knows he could have done better as he dropped to 61 from 58th in the World Ranking following the end of the British Open, and he knows that it is something he could have prevented.
"I can't say I played well because I dropped too many shots over the last two days, which is disappointing. I hit into the bunker so many times this week and that cost me a shot every time," the 28-year-old added.
"When you hit into these traps and get bitten, you realise how far you have to hit to stay away from them. But it has been a great learning experience and you learn from them, especially when you play on the course for the first time."
The best finish by an Indian in the British Open is still Jyoti Randhawa, who, in 2004, was tied for 27th.
Lahiri, will now have to forget the past and turn his attention to the European Masters in Switzerland that starts later this week. He then travels to the United States for the World Golf Championships and the PGA Championships.
And, continuing to stay upbeat is the only key.
"It's good that I'm playing these sort of events an d on such courses. I can only get better as I progress," said Lahiri.
