By Rahul Banerji
Anirban Lahiri and Ganagjeet Bhullar will carry home hopes at the ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf later this month in a partnership that goes back a long way.
Among the two most successful golfers from the sub-continent, the two, with a combined 16 victories on the Asian Tour, will tee off at the Metropolitan Golf Club from November 22 to 25.
That record also includes three co-sanctioned wins on the European Tour.
Lahiri, 31, and Bhullar, 30, have represented India together in team competitions elsewhere too starting from their amateur days.
They featured in the Eisenhower Cup, Nomura Cup and Asian Games, delivering a team silver in 2006,.
Since turning professional they also represented Team Asia at the inaugural EurAsia Cup in 2013.
Strong pairing
With both making second appearances in the World Cup, they are keen to improve on India’s ninth place finish by Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa in Portugal in 2005.
Lahiri and Bhullar though will be aiming for the top in Melbourne as their successes have ingrained a strong will and desire to beat the best when and where they tee it up.
Most recently, Lahiri finished a strong tied 10th at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico with a 16-under par card, six shots behind tournament winner Matt Kichar of the United States.
“This will be my second event in the World Cup of Golf with my previous one being with Anirban (in 2013), so we really gel on the golf course,” said Bhullar.
The Ludhiana golfer has the most wins on the Asian Tour by and Indian following a ninth career triumph at the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways in August.
Long history
“We’ve played a lot of junior and amateur golf together and understand each other’s game plan really well so I’m looking forward to the World Cup.”
For Bhullar, being picked by Lahiri, offers an opportunity for redemption as he finished last in the field in 2013 at Royal Melbourne when the tournament was played under a different format.
Players competed individually and both scores contributed towards the team’s score back then.
“It’s a great privilege for me,” Bhullar added. “We play all of these individual events and we hardly get to represent our country so I’m very honoured and feel my hard work has definitely paid off this year.”
Happy burden
Now a regular on the PGA Tour, Lahiri, Asia no. 1 in 2015 and a two-time International team member of the Presidents Cup, knows that wearing the Indian flag on his shirt means he is carrying the hopes of the people at home.
“That’s we what play for. When I played as an amateur, I played for India in many events,” he said.
“As a professional, you want to keep doing it and winning medals and honour for your country.
“It means a lot more when you are doing something more than winning titles for yourself.”
Big stakes
The 59th staging of the World Cup of Golf will see the 56-player field vie for the largest prize-money purse in Australian golf, with $7 million on offer.
Lahiri is looking forward to teaming up with his old friend once again.
“Gagan has been playing very consistently this year and had an amazing win in Fiji,” Lahiri said.
“He’s got a really solid all-around game and practically no weaknesses.
“We go back a long way and this won’t be our first time for Team India. We understand each other’s game well. I think we will combine for a strong Team India.”
Legendary cricketers Kapil Dev and Brian Lara at the fourth edition of the Krishnapatnam Port Golden Eagles Golf Championship in Hyderabad last week.
Also read: Shubhankar Sharma withdraws, Bhullar tabbed by Lahiri for World Cup
Discover more from Tee Time Tales
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Our Best wishes. Good luck. A game of golf needs both skill and luck.