New Delhi: Shiv Kapur and Anirban Lahiri exemplified the spirit to fight and stay on in the hunt as both of them recovered from none-too-happy rounds on the first day. Considered two of the best Indian prospects on the international circuit now, the two Hero Motocorp Ltd. sponsored golfers, chose the mega platform of the 50th Hero Indian Open to bounce back into the picture.
Kapur and Lahiri were part of the younger brigade that were identified as the ones who would took over from the likes of Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa.
On Friday, Kapur bounced back from his first round 75 with a classy bogey free 66 and Lahiri fought back from his first round 71 to card a 67 that had six birdies against one bogey.
Alongwith SSP Chowrasia (69-68), who is the best Indian in the clubhouse and Rahil Gangjee (eight-under with two holes to play in second round), Lahiri is among the contenders. But Kapur, right now tied 22nd, could well zoom back into contention soon.
Shiv self admittedly hit a ‘negative zone’ yesterday of there is such a thing. It was almost like everything he touched turned to dust. “I just wasn’t there. There was no focus and not one club could I claim to have the confidence of essaying a reasonable shot with,” said the 31-year old Delhi Golf Club pro after bringing in an opening round card of 75.
“Coming from a win at the Dubai Festival Challenge last week, I was both mentally and physically drained,” he added. “However, the key to professional sport is the art of bouncing back and this I have learnt comes only with patience and not with brooding over the past,” he added. True enough Shiv returned a card of six-under 66 to make the cut with ease.
Anirban’s was a different case. “Yesterday, was a blur,” said the fourth ranked golfer on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. “Despite playing so well this season, I played like I was getting on to the golf course after ages,” he added.
Anirban’s high competitive streak and desire to excel probably are the reason for his harsh reaction as he brought in a card of one-under 71 which, considering the leader was just five strokes behind him, was not so bad after all. However, the Gen Next of Indian golf will not settle for mediocrity. Today there was no stopping the 26 year old who went on to scorch the course with six birdies and returned a card of 67.
The saying ‘When the going is good, the good get going’ doesn’t hold true for these young men. They get going regardless.
