Golfer Lahiri wins Indonesian Masters

Jakarta, April 27 (IANS) Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri won his fourth Asian Tour title and first outside India with a spectacular eagle putt on the last hole to win the $750,000 Indonesian Masters here Sunday.

The 26-year-old, who is getting married next month, survived a gamut of emotions on the fourth and final day before breaking away from the chasing pack to seal victory with a four-under-par 68 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

Korea's Baek Seuk-hyun enjoyed a stroke of fortune despite carrying an elbow injury when he finished second alongside Australian rookie Cameron Smith after signing off with a 65.

Reigning Order of Merit winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand showed he is inching his way back to the winner's circle, finishing fourth.

Trailing one shot behind Smith, Lahiri went out quickly by firing three successive birdies starting from the second hole. He stumbled with a bogey-five on the fifth hole but recovered with another birdie on 12.

However, a double-bogey six on 13 after a lengthy three-hour rain delay saw the Indian ride out a tense finish as a host of marquee players were wrestling for the lead.

"I had an awkward lie on 13. During the rain delay I was just thinking that I have to get up and down there. I got a bad break there but I know Lin Wen-tang dropped a shot as well. Unfortunately, I got a double bogey but I'm glad I came back strong," said Lahiri.

With Baek holding the clubhouse lead at 16-under, Lahiri knew he had to produce a superlative effort on 18 to get the outright win.

"My mind was blank when I prepared for the last putt on 18. I had to get it into the hole. When I was walking up to the greens, I was actually thinking if I need to prepare for a playoff tomorrow morning," said Lahiri.

He didn't disappoint and screamed in delight when he watched his 20-ft eagle putt sink into the hole for a winning total of 17-under-par 271.

"It's really great to get my first win outside India. I have missed out on it for a long time and I am so glad I managed to do it today. I need the world ranking points so I am really happy I can win this week," added Lahiri.

Leaderboard:

271 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 70-69-64-68.

272 - Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 71-68-68-65, Cameron Smith (AUS) 68-67-67-70.

273 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 71-69-65-68.

274 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 71-72-67-64, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 68-70-69-67, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 70-64-72-68, S.S.P Chowrasia (IND) 71-66-69-68.

275 - Rashid Khan (IND) 70-70-64-71.

276 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-68-72-68, Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 68-71-69-68, Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 70-69-67-70.

277 - Dimitrios Papadatos (AUS) 73-72-66-66, Chan Kim (USA) 69-69-70-69, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 72-68-67-70.