By Rahul Banerji
Anirban Lahiri led or co-led before dropping late into third place with a 3 under par 68 on the opening day of LIV Golf Andalucia on Friday.
On a tough day at Valderrama, the India star turned up refreshed from a month-long break. With players dropping shots all around him, Lahiri held firm till the very last before giving away one bogey.
It was a flawless performance from the 35-year-old who had never played Valderrama before this visit.
Lahiri later said the course reminded him very much of the Delhi Golf Club layout.
“One of my favourite tracks back home in India is Delhi Golf Club, which is probably even more brutal than this. I think the challenge here is more 360 degrees, like every part of your game.”
At the top, Dustin Johnson who had a few days to get acquainted with the Real Club layout and Jason Kokrak, who took to the course sight unseen with flight and luggage issues, carded 4 under 67s in challenging conditions.
Cameron Smith, Kevin Na and overall individual points leader Talor Gooch were tied for fourth on 2 under 69.
Lahiri’s run also helped his team the Crushers top the team leaderboard on 4 under, the same total as Johnson and Kokrak on a day the winds gusted up to 35 kph and greens were rock hard.
In all, only 14 of the 48 players in the field went under par on the day.
“The course is really difficult,” said 4Aces captain Johnson, in search of a second personal victory of the season.
Gusty day
“The wind obviously, especially for the first 15 holes, was blowing really hard. The greens definitely started to firm up towards the end of the round.
“No matter if the wind is blowing or not, this course plays tough just because you have to be so precise on every single shot. That’s why I think the golf course is so great, and it’s a lot of fun to play.”
Kokrak, even with travel issues and a late arriving golf set, said he enjoyed the experience of going out on the course without hitting a single ball on it.
The rangy American still managed to bounce back from an early bogey with three straight birdies before closing out with six birdies.
“Kind of a crazy situation,” he said. “… I left home striking it nice, playing well, and really pleased with the clubs I have in my bag. I was confident when I got my clubs as long as they weren’t broken or bent.”
Even a player with a long history at Valderrama struggled.
Sergio Garcia, Spain’s Ryder Cup star and unofficial host for this week, later said he was happy with his 1-under 70 that left him tied for seventh.
“It was a grind. I’m not going to lie,” said the Fireballs captain, who has 14 top 10s in 15 previous starts at Valderrama.
“Obviously, it was tough. The course was playing firm. It’s probably the hardest wind that we play here, that Poniente wind coming from the west. …
“I’m happy about shooting under par in these conditions and without playing amazingly. It was a positive day.”
Team counting scores
1. Crushers GC (-4): Anirban Lahiri 68, Bryson DeChambeau 70, Paul Casey 71
2. Rippers GC (-3): Cameron Smith 69, Marc Leishman 70, Matt Jones 71
3. Majesticks GC (-2): Ian Poulter 70, Henrik Stenson 70, Laurie Canter 71
4. Torque GC (-1): Joaquin Niemann 70, Sebastián Muñoz 70, Mito Pereira 71
T5. 4Aces GC (E): Dustin Johnson 67, Patrick Reed 71, Peter Uihlein 75
T5: Smash GC (E): Jason Kokrak 67, Brooks Koepka 71, Chase Koepka 75
T7: RangeGoats GC (+1): Talor Gooch 69, Bubba Watson 72, Thomas Pieters 73
T7: Cleeks GC (+1): Richard Bland 70, Graeme McDowell 71, Bernd Wiesberger 73
T9: FireBalls GC (+2): Sergio Garcia 70, Abraham Ancer 72, Carlos Ortiz 73
T9: Stinger GC (+2): Dean Burmester 70, Charl Schwartzel 71, Louis Oosthuizen 74
T11: HyFlyers GC (+5): Cameron Tringale 71, Phil Mickelson 73, Brendan Steele 74
T11: Iron Heads GC (+5): Kevin Na 69, Danny Lee 72, Scott Vincent 77
Also read: Stage set for LIV Andalucia; Lahiri tees off with Munoz, Burmester
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