India’s Anirban Lahiri got his Open campaign underway with an opening three-under-par 69 to trail clubhouse leader Dustin Johnson of the United States by four shots at St Andrews on Thursday.
Highly expected to spearhead the Asian challenge at the world’s oldest major this week, Lahiri did not disappoint when he got off to a dream start with successive birdies in his opening two holes.
The current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader then grabbed another birdie on the par-four seven before reaching the turn in 33.
Lahiri dropped a shot on the par-four 13 but showed great character by coming back strongly with another pair of birdies on 14 and 15.
He bogeyed the infamous Road Hole 17, which is widely regarded as the toughest par-four in world golf and would make par on the last hole to sign for a 69.
“The front-nine was playing down wind so I did not have much of a problem there.
“But when we got to the back-nine, the wind was really blowing. The pin positions on the back-nine were not easy too.
“They were put in tight corners and it was not easy to give yourself birdie chances even from 10, 20 feet. You’ve got to hit quality golf shots and every time you don’t, you are under heavy pressure to make par,” said Lahiri.
With the brutal weather conditions at St Andrews predicted to bare its fangs for the rest of the week, the Indian was pleased to have given himself an advantage with his opening round efforts.
“I’m glad I played well today (Thursday) as everyone is talking like it’s going to be Armageddon from tomorrow.
“You don’t really know what to expect and you obviously don’t want to be over-par and behind going into that kind of weather,” said Lahiri.