Anirban Lahiri is relieved to retain his PGA Tour card for the next season and also be eligible to take part in the PGA Tour Play-offs.

“I must say I am relieved and excited. It is a relief to be assured a full card since then I can plan my season accordingly. Otherwise we have to wait till the last moment to see whether one can get an entry with someone withdrawing,” Lahiri said during a virtual interaction ahead of the Northern Trust tournament, the first leg of the FedExCup Play-offs, to be held in New Jersey from Thursday.

“I am thrilled to be in the play-offs. These next three tournaments are very important. It basically means I get to have a job next year for sure. It feels great to be back at the Liberty National Golf Club (for the Northern Trust tournament),” he said.

In 2018, his last appearance at this tournament, Lahiri had made the cut and finished tied 71st.

The 2021 FedEx Cup Play-offs include the Northern Trust, the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship. Only the top 125 players on the FedEx Cup standings qualify for the first-leg of the play-offs and Lahiri stands at 121st.

Lahiri doesn’t have an equipment sponsor now, but he feels it is more of a positive. “It allows me to choose the clubs that suit me best and I am not tied down by any commitment. And it has shown benefits as I am driving a lot better now,” he added.

The Northern Trust tournament can be followed live on Eurosport and Eurosport HD from Thursday (11.30pm, IST).