For Anirban Lahiri it was a dream Sunday, taking a one-shot sole lead at The Players Championship when play was halted due to darkness in the middle of the third round, at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida.
Lahiri was nine-under-par for the tournament through 11 holes in his third round. He led by one over Americans Tom Hoge and Harold Varner, who both completed nine holes before the horn sounded on Sunday evening.
Chasing a maiden victory in what is the PGA Tour’s flagship $20 million tournament, the 34-year-old will try to emulate the only Indian who have won on the PGA Tour – Arjun Atwal in the 2010 Wyndham Championship.
He is also eyeing to become the third Asian golfer to win The Players, after Korea’s K.J. Choi (2011) and Si Woo Kim (2017). “Who doesn’t want to win The Players Championship?” Lahiri said after he brilliantly produced six birdies against a lone bogey in 11 holes of his third round before the siren blew to mark suspension of play.
“I’m just happy that I’m playing well. I’m just happy that I’m hitting my irons well. When you are in that state of mind, you usually play well, and that’s what’s happening.”
He has struggled with his form in recent times, with his last top-10 finish being the Barbasol Championship in July 2021.
The slightest of change made to his equipment earlier this week where he added 3.5 grams of weight to his irons have made a huge difference.
“I’m just being in the moment right now. I’m really happy – like I just mentioned, I’m happy, I’m confident,” he added.