Selangor (Malaysia), Sep 16 (IANS): Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri is determined to make amends at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters - that tees off Thursday - after finishing second here last year.
Lahiri, who secured his fourth Asian Tour title at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters in April, reckons that a sharp short game will be the key to success this week.
“I have a couple of levels to take my game up, especially around the greens. This is a tight week, a tough course. I’ve played here a few times and I know the course well and I kind of know what I need to do,” said the 27-year-old Lahiri, ranked world No.91.
Lahiri, who was second at last week's Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) till the penultimate day, tailed off on the final day due to fatigue and finished tied fourth place.
“It’s good to see a full strength field here. It makes the event that much better. For me personally, I need to push myself over the line again. I’ve been getting into position quite consistently now and I am hoping to do that come Sunday,” added the Indian.
Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader David Lipsky, who is on his sixth straight week on the road, fancies his chances at the RM1.3 million ($410,000) Asian Tour event, thanks to his stunning victory at the co-sanctioned Omega European Masters in Switzerland two weeks ago.
“I’m feeling a bit tired but my game is good. I’ve been playing well so I’m looking forward to this week. I’m starting to hit the ball a lot better and it keeps improving. I think it’s because I’m getting more competition so the more I’m out here, the better my game will be,” said Lipsky, who has also enjoyed two-top-20s in Europe in recent weeks.
The Korean-American, who won the Asian Tour qualifying school in 2012, will lock horns with many of the region’s top stars this week including title holder Pariya Junhasavasdikul of Thailand, Korea’s Baek Seuk-hyun, who finished third here last year and Lahiri, who is second on the Order of Merit.
"At the start of the year, I wanted to challenge for the Order of Merit crown but Anirban won in Indonesia and he was in the lead. I played well in Singapore but the win in Switzerland really put me ahead and now gives me a chance to win the Order of Merit," said the 26-year-old American.