Anirban Lahiri in action during LIV Golf Andalucía 2024 where he went down to Sergio Garcia in a title playoff. Image courtesy LIV Golf.
By Rahul Banerji
Winless since the Hero Indian Open 2015, Anirban Lahiri returns to the venue of his last brush with success for LIV Golf Andalucia 2025.
Starting the final day of the 2024 edition seven shots ahead of Sergio Garcia — also winless since joining LIV Golf — Lahiri saw his hopes dashed twice, once on the final regulation hole, and then in the playoff.
Rubbing salt in the wound was the disappointing finish for Lahiri’s Crushers GC, who were poised for victory on his 54th-hole putt but also fell apart in the team playoff to give Garcia a title double with his Fireballs emerging on top.
This year, the Indian stalwart who recently turned 38 has been in good nick once again and well-placed to retain his team berth in 13th place currently in what is known as the Lock Zone.
The 2024 finish saw the first double playoff in LIV Golf and was made special for Garcia after three previous playoff defeats “To be totally honest, there’s a connection between Valderrama and myself that I can’t even explain it,” the 45-year-old said later.
Speaking of the Real Club Valderrama, Garcia added, “It’s super special.
Special venue
“Not only for me but for all of us because of how much Valderrama means to all of us, to Europe, all the amazing things that have happened here on this golf course.”
In contrast to Lahiri, Garcia has seen his form fall away after winning LIV Golf Hong Kong and finishing fourth in Miami.
Those results helped him stay in the top five and earned an exemption into next week’s Open Championship, but Garcia has earned no points in the last four starts and was “missed cut” at his two major appearances this year.
With the Ryder Cup fast-nearing, all of this heaps pressure on Garcia and fellow-Spaniard Jon Rahm, who is yet to win LIV Golf Chicago last year.
“I haven’t played my best,” Rahm, currently third in the points this season, said on the LIV Golf website.
‘“Luckily with my swing mechanics, for most of my pro career, I’ve been able to be very consistent, even when I haven’t felt to my full capacity. I think that’s what we’ve seen.
“I’m hoping that, kind of like last year, I get to have a second push this year and play better. But it’s very close.
Frustrating wait
“It’s one of those things that it’s a little bit frustrating because I feel how close it is and I feel how any given week, all the things are going to fall in line and I’m going to have a fantastic tournament, and hopefully it happens sooner than later.”
Added Garcia, who has finished in the top 10 16 times from 17 starts at Valderrama, “The only thing I can do is keep working hard, keep building my confidence up. If I’m able to do that, then it should be fine. We’ll see.”
Meanwhile, the Crushers are in line to match the LIV Golf record of four consecutive team wins set by Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC in the inaugural 2022 season.
Bryson DeChambeau’s team top the standings after their third win in a row, by 11 strokes at LIV Golf Dallas, having won earlier in Korea and Virginia.
They are already the most successful squad in the league with eight titles and the 2023 season-ending championship to their credit.
Given their philosophy, and last year’s outcome, the Crushers will be very keen to add more silverware to their growing collection.
There is also the small matter of 19 from the LIV Golf roster heading to Royal Portrush for the 153rd playing of The Open, for whom Real Club Valderrama should provide a testing tuneup.
Also read: Reed ends wait for LIV Golf win as Crushers make it a three-peat
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