'Want to break into top 50 this year': Anirban Lahiri

You see a successful golfer and there are at least seven or 10 people behind that story. There's a coach, a mother, a father, a golf course, a trainer, a physio — there are so many people. It takes a team. I have had the same coach for the last 13 years and we've grown together. My parents have supported me and, now, there's my wife
What's your first reaction?

Elation. It was awesome. It's really special. (Scott Hend) Hendy was playing great golf and it was sad to see him missing that putt on the last (hole). But hats off to him as he's been playing some fantastic golf. I came to the course with an attitude of never going away. I was going to keep coming back, keep coming back and keep attacking. I'm happy. It wasn't easy as I was focused all throughout the round. I told myself that I had to go for every single pin on every single shot. Unfortunately I hit the flag on the seventh.

What was the turning point on Sunday?
The 14th (birdie). I was upset with myself after missing a relatively easy short putt for birdie on the 13th. As I walked to the tee, I told my caddie we have to reduce the lead by the 16th hole. I was two back and we had five holes to play. Scott made a bad swing and it opened the door for me. I knew if I hit a good shot there, I could get one shot back. I hit a seven as hard and high as I could and it came out perfect. One of the best shots of the week.

What does this win mean to you?
It means a lot. I had set myself some targets. The big goal is to break into the top-50 by the end of this year. I've got to keep playing like this. This will do a lot for me in term of world ranking points. It's fantastic to win my second (title of the year). I missed the cut last week, so I had time to think about what I was doing wrong and how was I was not thinking positive on the course. I'm happy I managed to turn that around after a bad week.

Six years ago, you got into the 2008 Singapore Open at the last minute after some player pulled out and you were paired with Phil Mickelson?
When I look back now, I tell myself accidents happen. I was a kid, a rookie and was not prepared. But I have learned a lot. It was the first time I had seen that level of golf and it opened my eyes. There were shots I couldn't visualise and when you see those shots, you wonder how to hit shots like that. I think that's how you learn from the best players in the world. For me, my career has been like that. I try to learn and try to observe and see how I can improve. That was an important time of my career where I could play with Phil (Mickelson) and see what I needed to do.
My attitude and how I come across is from the Indian values that I have. I look up to a lot of these players like Ernie (Els) and Jeev (Milkha Singh). But when I'm on the course, I feel I can beat anyone of them on my day. I do respect them and I'm there to play golf.

How do you see the next few weeks pan out?
This is the time of the year where you want to play your best golf. We've got the biggest events (CIMB Classic and WGC HSBC) with prize money and world ranking points and there is a lot to play for.

What has been your strength these last two years?
I love playing under pressure. I think it brings out the best in me. Under the gun, I perform well and I think clearly. (For example), I know Hendy and I are good friends. I know his style of play and what a good player he is. I knew I had to come out and fire and make him think I was not going to go away.

Could you sum up your last two years and the last one specifically?
It's difficult to keep the graph going up, up, up. (But) the last 24 months have been fantastic. I won my first event four years ago and it's been an upward curve. My targets have been qualitative, not quantitative.
This year I won twice (including this week). I played two majors (The Open and PGA) and learnt so much from them. I have often been in the top-100 and now the goal is to move ahead and I am ready for it. I will have to keep changing my targets and trying my heart out to reach those targets.

Who has been your biggest influence?
It's difficult to say that. There are so many people. You see a good golfer, a successful golfer, and there are at least seven or 10 people behind that story. There's a coach, a mother, a father, a golf course, a trainer, a physio — there are so many people. It takes a team. I have had the same coach for the last 13 years and we've grown together. My parents have supported me and, now, there's my wife.

This win goes out to...
This is for (wife) Ipsa (Jamwal). She's coming out next week, so she will have something (trophy) to hold onto. She didn't make it this week, but will travel for the next two weeks.

FINAL LEADERBOARD
267 A Lahiri (IND) 61-73-67-66
268 P Meesawat (THA) 68-70-64-66, S Hend (AUS) 62-70-67-69
270 A Groom (AUS) 65-67-72-66
272 B Henson (USA) 69-70-68-65, U Park (AUS) 70-69-68-65
273 T Wiratchant (THA) 67-70-67-69
274 S Kapur (IND) 73-67-67-67
275 K Pratt (AUS) 70-69-68-68
276 K Aphibarnrat (THA) 71-69-72-64, T Jaidee (THA) 70-70-71-65, C Kim (USA) 70-69-71-66
277 C Nirat (THA) 70-68-71-68, M Rominger (SUI) 65-68-73-71
278 C S-Ch (TAI) 70-64-70-74, J Randhawa (IND) 66-74-68-70, JH Wang (KOR) 71-68-69-70, R Wannasrichan 71-71-73-63, Y Wei-Tze (TPE) 73-69-70-66

LAHIRI'S BIG WINS
Year Event City
2011 Panasonic Open India New Delhi (DGC)
2012 SAIL-SBI Open New Delhi (DGC)
2013 SAIL-SBI Open New Delhi (DGC)
2014 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters Jakarta
2014 Venetian Macau Open Macau