Golf: Indian trio in for Dubai Classic

Dubai: Anirban Lahiri, S.S.P. Chawrasia and Dubai-based India’s no. 1 amateur Rayhan Thomas will feature in the first-ever Indian threesome in an international event outside of India, when they go out together on Thursday morning at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Majlis Golf Course at the Emirates Golf Club.

Teenager Thomas, who represented India at the Asian Amateur Championships last year, was thrilled at getting a spot in a prestigious event on the European Tour and he was elated at being paired with Lahiri and Chawrasia.

Olympic team mates Lahiri and Chawrasia will renew their Hero Indian Open rivalry in four weeks time, but for now, both are looking forward to this event. “A year ago around this time at the Indian Open, I was in pain around my shoulder, but the pain of having finished second four times was even more,” recalls Chawrasia.

“Anirban was in great form and he had beaten me the year before that. But that was my day. It is one win I can never forget,” he added.

A fit-looking Lahiri, is confident after a decent finish at the CareerBuilder (PGA) event. “I had 22 birdies and I should have been better (than T-25) but I am feeling good about my game. My focus is going to be the PGA, but before that it is Dubai, Malaysia and the Indian Open, which I wouldn’t miss for anything.”