India’s Anirban Lahiri jumped a place to be 40th in the world golf rankings released on Monday, thereby securing a berth for the Masters, 2016’s first Major.
A top-50 finish in the world rankings at the end of the year secures a ticket for the event at the Augusta National Golf Club; venue of the year’s opening Major that will be played in April in the United States.
Newly crowned Asian Tour number one Lahiri, who triumphed in Malaysia and India this year and also finished tied fifth at the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Championship to reinforce his stature as one of the global game’s rising young stars.
The 28-year-old finished tied 49th in the 2015 Masters and will return for his second appearance at the Augusta with renewed confidence.
“Starting out the year, finishing in the world’s top-50 was one of my main goals and I’m delighted to achieve this target. It also means a lot to me as I will have the opportunity to play in my second Masters Tournament after making my debut this year,” Lahiri, who also earned his 2016 PGA Tour card through the Web.Com Finals, said in an Asian Tour release.
“Playing in all four rounds at Augusta National was certainly one of the main highlights of my 2015 season and I’m looking forward to heading back there again for another crack at this great tournament,” Lahiri, who was also ranked top-20 in this year’s European Tour Order of Merit, added.
The Bengaluru golfer also said the fact that three Asian Tour members - he alongside Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat - are featured in the world’s top-50 was yet another endorsement of the growing stature and rising standards of the game in the expansive region.
“I think it’s also fantastic to see Thongchai and Kiradech featuring in the world’s top-50 which is a great reflection of the strength of the Asian Tour.”
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