Lahiri seeks ranking boost at Malaysian Open

Indian star Anirban Lahiri aims to boost his position in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) by challenging for the Maybank Malaysian Open crown next month.

Currently ranked 68th in the world, Lahiri is pushing hard to break into the top-50 a week prior to The Masters tournament to qualify for the year's first Major championship in April.

The 27-year-old, who was voted as the Asian Tour's 2014 Players' Player of the Year, will relish a return to the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club from Feb 5 to 8 following a tied 10th finish in last year's Malaysian Open, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

"I am really looking forward to the Maybank Malaysian Open. I would have played a few weeks in the desert (Middle East) before coming to Malaysia so I will be tournament ready. After a top-10 last year, I will look to better my record at KLGCC," Lahiri said in a statement Wednesday.

He will face a stellar field which includes defending champion Lee Westwood of England, three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and Major champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland at the $3 million showpiece.

Lahiri finished second on the Order of Merit last year after a superb season where he won twice in Indonesia and Macau and notched six other top-10 results. He was also part of Team Asia which forced a thrilling tie with Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia.

"If I can get off to a good start, I have an opportunity to earn a spot at The Masters. Breaking into the top-50 in the world remains a major target as it will earn me a few invites and opportunities on the PGA Tour," he said.

"Winning an event on the European Tour would also be special. Hopefully I can follow through on most of these goals just as I managed in 2014," added Lahiri, who is a five-time Asian Tour winner.