Golfer Lahiri qualifies for The Open

Indian star Anirban Lahiri will play in his first Major tournament in 2017 after qualifying for The Open golf tournament which will be staged at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club next week.

The 2015 Asian Tour No.1 qualified for the year's third Major championship after Scott Piercy of the United States withdrew from the tournament.

This will be Lahiri's fifth appearance after playing at The Open in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016. His best result in the tournament was in 2015 when he finished in a share of 30th place. He also shot a hole-in-one in the third round of The Open in his debut in 2012 before settling for tied 31st place.

"Major relief! Super excited to be teeing up at Royal Birkdale next week @TheOpen," the World No.66 tweeted on Wednesday.

Lahiri has enjoyed a solid season in 2017 so far. His highlights include a second place finish at the Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour.

The Indian has also enjoyed top-10 results at the Hero Indian Open and Maybank Championship in Malaysia, both events sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour earlier this year.

Lahiriwill be joined by a strong line-up of Asian Tour stars including countryman Shiv Kapur at Royal Birkdale from July 20-23.

--IANS

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