Dropped shots hold Anirban Lahiri back at John Deere Classic

By Rahul Banerji

An efficient opening two rounds at the $7.1 million John Deere Classic saw Anirban Lahiri through to the weekend at tied 24^th in Illinois.

The Indian ace, who has set his sights on one of the three available berths to The Open at St Andrews later this month, will want to get more from the final two rounds at Silvis.

Lahiri has not made the cut in his last three starts but had sounded confident ahead of Thursday’s tee-off.

“That (Open qualification) is definitely a huge motivation to be here. This is a great event, but the Open spots make it much more rewarding.”

Lahiri opened on Thursday with a 2-under 69 and improved with Friday’s 4-under 67 though dropped shots have plagued his card over the opening 36 holes.

On Thursday, he had three bogies and picked up five shots. In round two, he had a further three bogies against seven birdies.

“It’s a unique track and it’s in the best shape I’ve seen it,” Lahiri said on Wednesday.

“You’ve got to make as many birdies as you can,” he added. With two rounds to go, Lahiri will want to add to that number, without subtracting from his gains.

Way behind

At 6-under, he trails second round leader J.T. Poston, who impressed again with a 65 by nine shots. Fellow-American Denny McCarthy is four shots behind and five up on Lahiri.

Meanwhile, the highest-ranked player in the field, Sahith Theegala made the cut on the line on 3-under 139 with rounds of 74 and 65.

And Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan powered into tied seventh place at the halfway stage with a flawless 7-under 64 at TPC Deere Run for a two-day total of 9-under 133, six back of Poston.

“Hit a lot of good iron shots out there with today’s condition, gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities within 10 feet,” said Pan.

“Pretty soft and no wind, so you can go right at a pin.”

Pan finished tied second alongside Theegala last week, two shots behind winner Xander Schauffele.

In all, 69 professionals made the cut at 3-under 139 from a field of 155 professionals and one amateur

Also read: Birthday boy Lahiri eyes Open ticket at John Deere Classic