Anirban Lahiri Breaks Into World Top-40 After 'Very Special' Win, Targets Indian Open

Anirban Lahiri has broken into the world top-40 after his stunning win at the Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. The 27-year-old from Bangalore is ranked 37th in the latest Official World Golf Rankings. Lahiri, who finished at 64th at the end of 2014, started the week at 73rd and improved 36 places with his latest win.

A jubilant Lahiri said: "This is very special. This is the sixth time I've won and it is my first on the European Tour. I think that's what makes it more special. The other thing that sets this win apart is that I finally won a big event.

"The first three events were USD 300,000 events in India. They gave me a lot of joy and confidence. Without those wins, I wouldn't be where I am today. I wanted to win an event which is big, not just in prize money but in terms of the field.

"I played with Lee Westwood and unfortunately he had a bad day. You are playing in the field with Major winners and you beat them. That is something that I've been wanting to do for a long time."

The Indian star, who joined countryman Arjun Atwal as a champion of the Malaysian Open, missed makeable birdie chances on 15 and 16 but popped one home from out of the blue on the penultimate hole to seize the advantage. He also became the fourth Indian to win an European Tour event following wins from Jeev Milkha Singh, S.S.P. Chowrasia and Arjun Atwal.

But the work has just begun for Lahiri, who will be one of the biggest draws at the Hero Indian Open to tee off at Delhi Golf Club from February 19-22.

"Winning big events is always a goal, and for us Indian golfers, winning the Indian Open means a lot because it is our national Open. In the last few years I have come close to it, and was tied second last time around, so I would like to set that record straight."

Lahiri added, "The Indian Open will be held on a course I have come to love. My first three wins on Asian Tour came at this course and I have learnt how to handle this course, which till a few years ago had intimidated me."

At the last edition of the Indian Open in November 2013, Lahiri and Chowrasia were tied second as Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh bagged the title. In 2012, Lahiri was tied fifth in Bengaluru and in 2009, he was tied third, so he would be really hoping to make up for those close misses.

Talking of his immediate plans, Lahiri said, "This week I tee up in Thailand and then it is time for Indian Open. I like both the courses and events and it will be a good time to get some good results."

Lahiri's 37th position in the world rankings is the second best ever by an Indian after Jeev Milkha Singh, who was in the Top-30 in March 2009. While this is the first week in Top-50 for Lahiri, Jeev spent a total of 66 weeks at different times in Top-50.

Lahiri has already qualified for the British Open following his result in Thailand Golf Championships late last year and on current form, he should also get into PGA Championships. If he stays inside Top-50 till the week before the Masters, he will also get an invite for the year's first Major and a Top-50 should also get him into the US Open.

"It is always the goal of a professional golfer to play as many Majors as possible and World Golf Championships for that's where the best are. I feel I can do well at any level and my game is progressing well."