Macao Open Receives Prize Money Boost

Q&A Anirban Lahiri - The Defending Champ

You won last year, shooting a 61 - the lowest score of your career - in the first round and you also finished second in 2013. An obvious question perhaps, but: what is it about the Venetian Macao Open that so clearly agrees with you?

A lot of things really. The course suits my eye but I do have a lot of great memories of the place and also the event. It was the first Asian Tour event I first really contended in - I was in the final group on the Saturday back in the early days of my career. But I just really enjoy the golf course. Last year I played well and got a really good run going. I was able to stay comfortable. The event is always very well run, especially since the Venetian has come on board as the sponsor. It was very pleasing, especially as it was a really good field, with Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez playing too. The event has really become one of the top events on the Asian Tour.

A lot has happened to you since winning in 2014. You’ve earned your European Tour card, won two European Tour events in Malaysia and India, played in the all three Majors to date this year, and got into the top-50 of the world rankings. Would it be fair to say your performance at the Venetian Macau Open was the catalyst for what you’ve achieved since?

Absolutely. It was a transformation. Every step of the journey is important and the victory was very crucial for me. I had a really good feeling about the event and the world ranking points in Macao were quite high, it allowed me to get into the Masters and play the big events. It was perfect timing.

What are your expectations for the event in 2015?

I’m going to be playing a lot of golf coming into Macao, so my game will be quite sharp. After that it depends on how the course and condition are. If I can get off to a good start then that would be great. But it’s hard, you know. I may not do as well as last year but I will do best - it’s not easy to win. But I feel like I’m playing well, so we never know.

Outside the course, how do you get to enjoy Macau?

Before we used to stay in the old part of the city, and now we stay in Cotai, so I’ve seen both parts. What I really like about Macau is the food. I enjoy Macanese food and I always make sure to visit Fernando’s, the Macanese restaurant close to the course [on Coloane].

Most people would be familiar with the 17th and 18th holes at Macau Golf and Country Club - a dramatic par-3 and reachable par-5 combination - but do you have a favourite hole, or stretch of holes, on the course?

It’s difficult to pick a favourite but I would say the most challenging stretch is 10 through 13. There are chances on the course for birdies but from 10 through 13 you’re really just trying to hang on.