Anirban Lahiri and his team won the Pro-Am event of the Tata Steel Tour Championship 2020 at Beldih golf course on Wednesday.
US-based professional Lahiri, who returned to play in Jamshedpur after 13 years, had a team comprising amateurs Arjun Munda, Sanjiv Paul and Rajeev Chopra. His team total was 116.
Calcutta-based professional Rahil Gangjee, who returned to play in Jamshedpur after 14 years, helped his team finish runners-up with a total of 110. Gangjee’s team comprised amateurs Tarun Daga, Prashant Maurya and Nipam Mehta.
Lahiri used his experience to guide the amateurs to the win. “I feel excited to return to Jamshedpur and play golf. I enjoyed playing on Wednesday with my amateur mates,” he said.
“It was my rookie season when I came to play Tata Open in 2008. And it was also my fourth event as a professional,” Lahiri added.
Col. Vikramjit Singh Panag won the prize for the longest drive on hole No. 12 as it landed at a distance of 299 yards.
Hamid Raza Khan won the prize for the straightest drive on hole no. 8. His shot landed one foot from the centre of the fairway.
Ms Tanisha won the prize for the closest to the pin on hole no. 7. Her tee shot landed within 16 inches of the hole.
Rajiv Mehta won the prize for the closest to the pin on hole No. 17. His tee shot landed within 17 feet of the hole.
Lahiri (33), who has 7 international wins under his belt, said playing at the Tata Steel Tour Championship at two courses would be challenging for the golfers.
“It will be really challenging, especially in the 3rd and 4th rounds. We need to take advantage of the half-an-hour break while switching courses,” Lahiri said
He thanked Tata Steel for sponsoring the tournament and bringing golf back on tracks in difficult times. He also appreciated the steel major for supporting Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) in promoting the game.