Anirban Lahiri has successfully met every goal he set for himself since joining Crushers GC on LIV Golf.
Except for one – he and teammate Paul Casey have failed in getting Captain Bryson DeChambeau and Charles Howell III to join the Tuesday night Curry Club.
It’s been a little over one year since Lahiri made his sensational LIV debut in Boston as part of the three-man playoff, with 4Aces GC Captain Dustin Johnson claiming the title with an unbelievable eagle putt that smashed into the flagstick and decided to fall in.
“It’s just been a year, but it feels much longer, probably, because we finished two seasons in that time, and also because everything that has happened around LIV Golf during this time,” said Lahiri, speaking from his new hometown of Dubai as he prepares for LIV Golf Chicago at Rich Harvest Farms, Sept. 22-24.
“Even personally, there were some big changes … we shifted from the U.S., and then we lost my mum-in-law. There was so much anxiety when I made the move. We did not fully know what LIV Golf was going to offer, and I became part of a team, where apart from Bryson, I did not know my teammates that well.
“But it has been an incredible journey. I feel very lucky, very blessed.”
Part of that fortune involves his new friendships with Casey and Howell. Like Lahiri, they are veteran pros – and the trio provide a respected sounding board for DeChambeau, the only captain in the LIV Golf League who is younger than the rest of his teammates.
Lahiri is ecstatic about being a member of the Crushers, who won their first team title in the season opener in Mayakoba and remain in the running for one of the top-four seeds going into the Team Championship in Miami in October. In addition, the Crushers have celebrated two individual victories – Howell in Mayakoba and DeChambeau in Greenbrier after his 61-58 weekend.
“I won’t have it any other way after spending the last one year with Crushers. In hindsight, phenomenal is not a good enough word to describe how I feel. Both Paul and Chucky (Howell) are like brothers now. We are more than teammates, we are solid support systems that are so needed at this level of sports,” said Lahiri, who has two second-place point finishes this year (Adelaide and Bedminster) and is ranked 15th in the season-long individual points standings.
“Bryson has been an inspirational captain. Even when he was going through his own struggles, he was completely invested in the team and always asked about our well-being. He has been very open and inclusive. When we were planning a restructure of the team last year, he would discuss every aspect of it openly with everyone in the team.”
Since moving to LIV Golf, Lahiri feels his golf has reached another level and that he has become more consistent in all aspects of his game.
“I said this at the time of moving to LIV Golf, and I will say it again. I was happy playing on the PGA Tour, but living in the USA wasn’t suiting me well,” said Lahiri.
“Now, I am seeing my coach (Vijay Divecha) a lot more. I spend more time with my young family, and it has led to more focused practice sessions. I am much closer to my friends and family, which is again very important for my well-being. I think LIV Golf has helped me in that, but more important was the move to Dubai. My state of mind is much better, and it is showing in my results.
“To play at the highest level with LIV Golf is important for me, but I am also enjoying my outings on the Asian Tour and the time I get to spend with the Indian boys. It’s good for me and I love being a mentor to anyone who needs my help. That part of golf gives me great joy.”
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