Indian Golfing sensation Anirban Lahiri ready to shine in Abu Dhabi

This week, Asian Tour ace Anirban Lahiri will make his long-awaited European Tour debut at the 10th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship against one of the event’s greatest  line-ups ever. Based in Bangalore, Lahiri earned his first European Tour card after finishing in the top 25 of the European Tour Q-School Final Stage following wins in both the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters and Venetian Macau Open last year.
 
The 27-year-old, who has climbed to No. 64 in the Official World Golf Ranking, became the only Indian golfer to break into the top-100 this year – a feat which was topped off by ending the season in second place on the Asian Tour Money List.
 
After playing in last year’s PGA Championship, and the British Open for the second time, Lahiri is now looking forward to taking on the star-studded field at Abu Dhabi Golf Club starting Thursday.
 
“Last year was an incredible season for me and a year of firsts, which I intend to carry into this new season starting off with my European Tour debut in Abu Dhabi,” Lahiri said.
 
Lahiri joins Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Ernie Els and a host of past winners for the Championship’s landmark event and a cut of the US $2.7 million prize fund.
 
“I’ve heard very good things about the tournament, and it’s the impressive strength and depth of field that got my attention. I’m feeling very confident about taking on the world’s best players this week,” he added.
 
Indian compatriot Shiv Kapur will also be taking on the game’s giants in Abu Dhabi this week and joining Lahiri in a bid to make his mark in the capital with his first European Tour win.
 
Also representing India in the milestone event is long-time Abu Dhabi stalwart Jeev Milkha Singh. The Indian icon is confident a good start in Abu Dhabi will help him shape up for a strong season ahead.
 
Singh said: “I’ve enjoyed teeing off my season in Abu Dhabi over the past eight years and am very much looking forward to contending for the Falcon Trophy again in its tenth anniversary. With my extensive knowledge and experience of the National Course, I’m looking to be up there with the front-runners to get my season off to the best possible start.”
 
Giles Morgan, HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship and Events, said: “As we tee off the new golfing year here in Abu Dhabi, ‎Anirban could be yet another contender on golf’s global leaderboard.
 
“As one of the game’s new breed of young rising stars this week represents a huge opportunity for him to make a major statement of intent for Indian golf. As you look around this world class international field, it really ‎is anyone’s game.”
 
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2015 is presented by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and runs at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from 15-18 January.  Tickets and tailored packages are available via the event’s official website – www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com  at AED50 for a daily pass and AED150 for a four-day pass. Guests staying at any Abu Dhabi hotel over the Championship period enter free and all those who book packages will enjoy a complimentary clinic with a world top 30 player.