Lahiri looks at meditation for more success on Asian Tour

New Delhi: Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri`s second Asian Tour title at the SAIL-SBI Open has propelled him to fourth in the Order of Merit and he credits the recent success to his new meditation exercise.

Lahiri`s victory has taken his earnings to USD 73,677. His latest win will put him in good frame of mind for his title defence at the Panasonic Open India next month. The golfer said his mental attitude has improved tremendously since becoming a Vipassna meditation follower, known as one of India`s most ancient techniques of meditation. "I`ve changed my mental attitude towards golf. I`ve become a Vipassna meditation follower on the course and that helped me stay in the moment," said Lahiri, who defeated Thailand`s Prom Meesawat for his second Asian Tour title on the first play-off hole at the Delhi Golf Club, which will also host the Panasonic Open India from March 29 to April 1. "I was trying not to get ahead of myself and that was one of those few things that helped me to execute things rather than project and think into the future," he added. The tree-lined Delhi Golf Club was never a favourite hunting ground for Lahiri until only recently when he notched two of his Asian Tour titles at the same venue. "Winning the Panasonic Open India last year was definitely one of the highlights for me. I`ll always remember my win at the Delhi Golf Club. This is because I not only managed to win at Delhi Golf Club which I`ve always found it tough in the past but more importantly it was my first win on the Asian Tour," said the 25-year-old Lahiri. Lahiri is tipped to be part of the new generation of golfers to emerge from India. Alongside rising stars Gaganjeet Bhullar and Himmat Rai, the trio have claimed a combined total of five Asian Tour titles in the span of four years. India also holds the distinction of having the most Asian Tour Order of Merit winners with Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa and two-time Asian number one Jeev Milkha Singh previously winning the region`s top golfing accolade. Jbe Kruger of South Africa continues to lead the Order of Merit with winnings of USD 394,589 following his victory at the Avantha Masters in India two weeks ago. Australia`s Marcus Fraser is in second place on USD 109,380 while Prom, who finished second at the SAIL-SBI Open, is in third position with earnings of USD 100,037. Big-hitting Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand made up the top-five positions on the Order of Merit after winning USD 70,433 from three Asian Tour events. PTI