Olympics 2021 Golf Day 1 results: Impressive start for Indian Anirban Lahiri
Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri has had an impressive start to his Tokyo Olympics campaign. He fired a four-under 67 to finish the first round tied-eighth at the Kasumigaseki Country Club on Thursday. The former Asian Tour No.1 had six birdies and two bogeys.
The second Indian in the men’s competition, Udayan Mane, failed to sustain the early promise as two double bogies and two bogies on the back nine left him with a first-round score of five-over 76. He was one-under at the turn but brought up the rear at the end of the day.
Sepp Straka led the way with an Olympic-record equaling round of eight-under 63. Had he not lipped out his birdie attempt on the 18th, the Austrian would have broken the record.
Lahiri later remarked he could've capitalized on the situation better and taken some more risks.
How did the top golfers do?
Former World No. 1 Justin Thomas struggled with an even-par 71. The 2021 Masters champion and home favorite, Hideki Matsuyama, shot a two-under 69. He was one of 11 players tied in 20th place, along with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and reigning British Open champion and World No.3 Collin Morikawa of the US. World No.4 Justin Thomas of America finished with an even-par 70.
The World No. 161 Straka equalled the record set by Matt Kuchar (US) and Marcus Fraser (Australia) at the 2016 Rio Games.
Lahiri would look to improve upon his dreary performance in 2016. Coming off an injury, he had finished 57th in Rio. He will continue his Tokyo campaign in round two on Friday.
Also read: India in Tokyo Olympics 2021 India Schedule