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Lahiri, Thongchai blaze new trail
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INDIAN golfer Anirban Lahiri and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee expressed delight on Monday after confirming their spots in the International team to face the United States in the Presidents Cup, the first time the two countries have been represented in the Ryder Cup-style tournament.
Lahiri was assured of his spot after being the seventh highest-ranked international player eligible for the competition while Thongchai was two places back at ninth to fall inside the top 10 automatically selected for next month’s event in South Korea.
“I can’t describe my feelings right now,” said Lahiri, who tied for fifth at the PGA Championship last month, the best ever finish in a major by an Indian golfer. “Growing up, you look up to events like the Ryder Cup and feel terrible about it as you can’t be a part of something like that.
“But thankfully, we have the Presidents Cup for us to aim for, and it is such an achievement to make the team. This will be a massive boost for golf in India and the region as a whole.”
Former paratrooper Thongchai meanwhile said he hoped his participation would serve as an inspiration to the next generation of Asian golfers.
“It’ll be the first time that a Thai player will play in the Presidents Cup,” the 45-year-old said. “I think I can help the other young Asian players. When they see that I can get onto the team, then they too will aim for it.”
Thongchai and Lahiri were among three rookies to make the International team.
The third was New Zealand’s Danny Lee, who was 10th.
International captain Nick Price of Zimbabwe was to name his two captain’s picks for the October 6-11 event in Incheon City yesterday.
The American challenge will be spearheaded by Jordan Spieth and will also include Rickie Fowler, who pulled off a superb victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston earlier on Monday.
“To finally make a Presidents Cup team, that’s always been a goal of mine,” said Fowler, who won the Kolon Korea Open in 2011.
“I’m 1-for-1 over there, so I might as well go over and make it 2-for-2,” he joked.
US skipper Jay Haas will also name his two captain’s picks later yesterday.
Meanwhile, Spieth will regain his No. 1 spot when the next world rankings are released despite missing the cut at the Deutsche Bank.
The US Open and Masters champion was assured of returning to the top of the rankings after Rory McIlroy failed to finish in the top 10 while Australia’s Jason Day failed to win the tournament.
The complex mathematical formula used to determine the rankings means Spieth will be back as world No. 1 when the next rankings list is released.
Northern Ireland star McIlroy finished his Deutsche Bank campaign with a 5-under 66 on Monday, and said he was unconcerned by the nip-and-tuck world ranking battle.
McIlroy told the Golf Channel he was more concerned with his form and moving up in the FedEx Cup playoffs standings.
“My focus the next few weeks is the FedEx Cup and to try to do well on that. I’d love to play the next (event) well and get myself into the top five going to Atlanta. That’s still the goal. I’ll probably need a win,” said McIlroy, who finished tied 29th on 3 under.
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