Lahiri set to realise dream with Masters debut

Star Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri will be looking to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a Major champion when he tees off at the Masters Tournament on Thursday at the Augusta National Golf Club.
The current Asian Tour number one will become only the third Indian golfer after Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal to tee off at Augusta.
"I'm very excited obviously as it's something every player wants to do. You want to compete, contend and eventually win. These are things that dreams are made of. It's going to be a very special thing when I tee up at Augusta National," said Lahiri.

"Growing up, you want to play in all the Majors but the Masters and The Open are the two that are of special significance -- one due to its history and the other because of its exclusivity and mysticism.
"The Open is a true open and anybody can qualify. The Masters is the other end of the spectrum where you have to be the best of the best with its steeped criteria to have the opportunity to play. These are the two Majors that have great significance and I'm glad that when I tee up in Augusta, I would have accomplished the first part of my dream which is to play and the second part, hopefully is to do well and win a Major in my career," he added.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular past 12 months on the Asian Tour, winning four tournaments during a golden period that included two victories in co-sanctioned events with Europe in Malaysia and India in February.

After cracking the world's top-50, which earned him a place at the Masters Tournament, Lahiri, who is currently ranked 34th, knows that an eye-catching week will leave a long-lasting effect in India and across Asia.
"It's important that I play well," said Lahiri, who was recently tipped by South African great Ernie Els as being a potential Major winner.
"If I can put up a special performance, that would make a huge difference. Playing in the Masters is quite difficult -- you've got be top-50 in the world or win a PGA Tour event, or be in the top-10 of the Race to Dubai. To have someone qualify while playing primarily on the Asian Tour and co-sanctioned event, it's a big boost for someone who has the same dreams that I have.

"If I can do well, it will be a big motivating factor. Even I didn't think it was possible but it is possible. It was very much like when Arjun went to America and won, nobody thought it was possible and now, people will change their belief system," Lahiri said.