I’m an all-round player now: Anirban Lahiri

Anirban Lahiri admits he has “evolved as a player” in the last one year as he is getting more comfortable playing in different turf and conditions in America, besides competing with world’s best golfers.

The challenges of living and travelling alone in the west nothwithstanding, Lahiri says his “attitude and belief” have changed ever since he made his foray into the Majors and the PGA Tour.

“The bar has gone higher and I am pushing myself more than before to compete and beat the best players in the world. I am pushing myself to improve mentally and adapting myself to play in America,” Lahiri told this newspaper here on Sunday.

“I have adapted pretty well with the turf in America — whether it’s rye grass, bent or blue grass etc. I am definitely a more rounded player now. I think what has happened in the last two years, I have played more in Europe, globally.

“I am a better all-round player whether it’s different weather, conditions, turfs etc. Week in and week out, I am putting myself in a situation where I am learning. So, I am a much more wholesome player now,” he added.

The 28-year-old from Bengaluru made the cut for the Majors after rising to the top-50 in world golf rankings last March — thanks to back-to-back title wins (including the Hero Indian Open) on the European Tour.

“I think a year back, I was coming to terms that I am a top-50 player and that I am going to play at the Majors and the WGC. Now all that is behind me and I am looking to perform my best at these events.

“I am now comfortable with the thought that I am playing in Augusta. I look forward to it, I know what to expect as I have played there before. I won’t say it will be easier but I am more comfortable now. I think that’s the first step of playing best golf that you get used to playing the best guys,” he said of next month’s Augusta Masters.

This week, Lahiri has taken a break from the PGA Tour and will return to defend his title at the Indian Open. “I am comfortable playing here. I had a good run here. I am looking forward to Thursday. It’s like my second home and it will be fun playing at the DGC,” he said, adding that it will be a crucial week for Indians considering the Olympics.

Currently ranked 50th in the world, Lahiri is almost sure to make the cut for Rio and is awaiting to see who would join him. “A few players S.S.P. Chawrasia, Chiragh Kumar, even Chikkarangappa are in contention. This week will be crucial for all these players,” he said.

“For me personally, it’s exciting but it’s still few months away.”

Post the Indian Open, Lahiri will head for the WGC-Dell Match Play Championship before competing at the Augusta Masters.