Lahiri confident of defending Panasonic Open golf title

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) India's young golfer Anirban Lahiri is all set to defend his title at the Panasonic Open India golf tournament starting at the Delhi Golf Club Wednesday.

"The win at the Panasonic Open India last year really kick-started my good run. Anybody on Tour will tell you that the first win is critical. Since then, I've made a lot of progress and also a slump but I've come out and made it a positive start by winning at the SAIL-SBI Open and qualifying for the British Open," said Lahiri after a practice session here Tuesday.

Lahiri sealed his spot for his maiden Major at the British Open in July by winning International Final Qualifiers Asia recently.

"I'm really focussed at continuing my form and keeping it at a level where it should be," he said.

Thailand's Prom Meesawat, the highest ranked player this week, will lead an immensely talented field including Rikard Karlberg of Sweden, Scott Barr of Australia, Ben Fox of the United States and rising local star Chiragh Kumar at the $300,000 event sanctioned by the player-led Asian Tour and PGTI.

India's S.S.P. Chowrasia will also return to his happy hunting ground where he won his first Asian Tour title at the 2008 Indian Masters and will be joined by a multitude of Asian Tour stars ranging from 30 different nationalities.

Lahiri, who underwent a meditation course at the start of ths season, added:"Meditating has not only helped with my game but also made me a better person. It is now reflecting on the golf course. I'm not losing my temper on the course, I'm much calmer and I accept whatever comes my way. The same things that would have upset me last year do not upset me anymore. I think those things are all contribution factors to me playing better golf."