Lahiri in the rough

Carnoustie (Scotland), July 19

Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri carded a 5-over 76 on the opening day, leaving himself with a mountain to climb in his bid for a weekend appearance at the 147th Open Championships here today. Americans, who have won the last five Majors, and 10 of the last 14, dominated the leaderboard. Kevin Kisner led the field with a 5-under 66, which included a colourful stretch of bogey-eagle-par-birdie from the fifth, followed by a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th to the 15th. And then, he survived the famous Carnoustie bite on the 16-18th holes to shoot an impressive 66.

Erik Van Rooyen of South Africa, who qualified for the Open by finishing second behind Shubhankar Sharma at Joburg Open, was flawless for 17 holes before dropping a shot on the 18th for a 4-under 67.

Putting on a brave smile, Lahiri said, “It was not the day I was hoping for. I didn’t get off to a good start and after 2-3 holes, I started tightening up and had a ‘birdie free’ round. That’s not the phrase I want to be associated with, but that’s what it was.” 

“I missed a lot of shots to the right and that’s not what I do usually. I missed a lot of opportunities early on and didn’t take advantage of the two par-5s, and found too many fairway bunkers.” 

In terms of stats, he found only 20 per cent of the fairways, hit only 50 per cent greens in regulation and needed as many as 31 putts. His bogeys came on the fourth, ninth and 16th, and double-bogeyed the 10th. “I did not hit many greens in the middle part of the round. I had a chance on the first though. I found too many bunkers and did not put myself inside 10 feet enough, but I have been making those 15-18 footers, so I should have,” he said.

Spieth stumbles 

They say the key to a good score around Carnoustie is to make your birdies on the first 14 holes, and then hang on. Defending champion Jordan Spieth managed the first part on Thursday but failed miserably with the second, leaking four shots in his final four holes to slide back into the pack with a disappointing 1-over 72. 

Two birdies in his opening four holes offered early promise for the American but even with fickle Scottish weather in a relatively benevolent mood, he discovered the sprawling old course still packs a punch. The 24-year-old double-bogeyed the par-four 15th after suffering what he described as a “brain fart”, bogeyed the brutal par-three 16th and then leaked another shot on the last after driving his tee shot into Barry Burn. — Agencies