Lahiri lights up Macau with 10-under 61, Jyoti, Chowrasia 6th

He may be away from home for Diwali, but Anirban Lahiri ensured a fine celebration with fireworks at the Macau Golf and Country Club, where he shot a magnificent bogey-free 10-under-par 61 to take lead at the Venetian Macau Open, here today.
He was one shot clear of the in-form defending champion Scott Hend of Australia.
After eight birdies, four on either side of the course, Lahiri capped it all by draining a 15-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole. It was a career low round and it also bettered his last year's record-equaling 62 in the final round, which saw him finish runner-up.

It was a good day for the Indians as SSP Chowrasia, fifth last week in Hong Kong, and Jyoti Randhawa, who are running into good form, shot five-under 66 each to be tied sixth, while Chiragh Kumar (69) was tied 19th.
A total of 14 Indians teed up this week as Arjun Atwal, Angad Cheema, M Dharma and Himmat Rai carded 70 each to be tied 34th, while Jeev Milkha Singh shot 71 to be tied 60th. Shiv Kapur and Rahil Gangjee had a tough time with 73 each in tied 93rd spot, Sujjan Singh (74) was tied 101st. S Chikkarangappa (75) may have given Lahiri good advise but he himself struggled to be tied 120th while Rashid Khan retired.

With India celebrating Diwali, Lahiri, a four-time Asian Tour winner, was delighted to deliver the cheers to his fans back home as he took full advantage of near benign conditions at the par-71 Macau course.

"It's a great Diwali and happy Diwali to everyone back home. It's nice to have some fireworks on the course," smiled Lahiri, who needed only 22 putts for his round.
"It's fantastic. I really played solid all day and it was nice to get such fantastic weather and putt well. I think I did really well inside of 15 feet. This is the best I've putted for a while. My good friend S Chikka who is playing this week pointed something out and he knows my game really well.

"Sometimes my putting stroke doesn't flow as well as it needs to and he spotted a little thing that really helped me. I felt really comfortable on the greens. I'm really happy.