Anirban Lahiri leans on his meditation rigours to retain Panasonic Open title on Asian Tour this week
Asian Tour is all set to swing back in action with its latest episode of Panasonic Open India with top-ranked Asian Tour field on Thursday, March 29.
India’s blazing gun, Anirban Lahiri will be the crowd favourite pitched in an attempt to retain the title he won last year.
Lahiri has played amazingly well in the last few months, right after his victory on the Asian Tour 12 months ago.
He went over to win SAIL-SBI Open at the same venue last month and has qualified for his maiden appearance in British Open through the IFQ-Asia in Thailand.
Lahiri credits his meditation practice as the key behind his overwhelming success.
Lahiri said, "Meditating has not only helped with my game but it has also made me a better person. It has put me more at peace with myself, the environment, my surroundings and with my family. That’s what’s reflecting on the golf course".
"I don’t think meditating has any direct effect on my game but I’m not losing my temper on the course and I’m much calmer and accept whatever comes my way".
The field will boast of grizzled Asian Tour players of the likes of Ben Fox of the United States, Prom Meesawat of Thailand, Siddikur of Bangladesh and Indian-specialist Rikard Karlberg of Sweden.
Meesawat of Thailand has pulled in some jaw-dropping performances on the tour and will have an edge with his brimming confidence.
Asian Tour winners Gaganjeet Bhullar, Himmat Rai, S.S.P. Chowrasia and former Asian Tour number one Jyoti Randhawa will be the favourite players alongside Lahiri at the scenic Delhi Golf Course.
Another strong contingent of Australian golfers will be part of the field, including Scott Barr, Adam Groom, Wade Ormsby, Paul Donahoo, Kunal Bhasin, Adam Blyth, Darren Tan, and Anthony Choat.
Donahoo is on his rookie visit on the tour this year and is hoping to bag a title in his debut year, on the Asian Tour.
Whether Lahiri’s meditation rigours are going to work or not, the event marks the popularity of the sport in the country, where young budding players will soon be taking over the reins from the veterans.
The event is co-sanctioned by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and will be broadcasted on a wide scale to no fewer than 200 countries and 650 million homes.
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