By Rahul Banerji
The last thing Anirban Lahiri would have expected to see was his name on the shortlist for the Tokyo Olympic Games next month.
That however, was exactly what transpired on Tuesday evening with the International Golf Federation announcing its final list of men’s qualifiers for Tokyo.
“Best surprise I have got in a while. Can’t believe I will have the opportunity once again to represent the tricolor,” India’s top-ranked player tweeted in relief and elation.
Till earlier in the day, Lahiri was on the list as a reserve. But late withdrawals carried him and China’s Ashun Wu into the main draw.
Aditi Ashok will be officially confirmed in the women’s draw on June 29 after this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Tvesa Malik is the fifth reserve.
Overjoyed
In a statement later, Lahiri added, “Making it to the Olympics has been a pleasant surprise. I’m overjoyed and so is my family.
“What I was having breakfast this morning I wasn’t in the Olympics. Now I am.
“After getting the good news, I had to think I had to think about whether I will compete at the Olympics as other factors are involved including my recovery from Covid and my current position in the FedEx Cup standings.
“But it was a quick and easy decision in favour f playing the Olympics as one doesn’t get such fortune for no reason.
“I cherish every opportunity of representing India and would never give up a chance like this. The Gods are definitely smiling on me.”
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, where golf made a comeback after the 1900 Paris Games, Lahiri was partnered by Shiv Shankar Prasad Chawrasia.
In all, 36 countries will be represented at the Tokyo Olympics men’s competition including 10 from the Asia-Oceania (Pacific) region.
They are, Hideki Matsuyama/Rikuya Hoshino (Jpn); Sungjae Im/Si Woo Kim (Kor); Jazz Janewattananond/Gunn Charoenkul (Tha); C.T. Pan (Tpe), Juvic Pagunsan (Phi), Gavin Green (Mas), Carl Yuan/Ashun Wu (Chn), Anirban Lahiri (Ind), Cameron Smith/Marc Leishman (Aus) and Ryan Fox (NZ).
Strokeplay format
At Tokyo, the golf competition will be 72-hole individual strokeplay for both men and women (four rounds over four consecutive days) at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama.
The men’s event will run from July 28 to August 1 and the women’s competition from August 4 to 7, it added. Players will be drawn in groups of three, the IGF website said.
Newly-crowned US Open champion and world no. 1 Jon Rahm of Spain is the top seed.
He is followed on the IGF list by Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau (all USA) in that order.
Rory McIlroy (Ireland), Vikor Hovland (Norway), Matsuyama, Paul Casey (GB) and Abraham Anser (Mexico) complete the top 10 in the seedings.
The US are the only country with more than two qualifiers for the 60-player field.
Lahiri’s is the 60 and final name on the IGF list.
Also read: Magical Matsuyama motors to Masters mantle, makes history for Asia
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