AUGUSTA: Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player lavished high praise on Anirban Lahiri a little after giving the 86th Masters a ceremonial tee off at the fabled Augusta National Golf Club. The Indian's run at the US$ 20 million PLAYERS Championship recently, where he was second by a shot, attracted global attention.
Nicklaus, who has 18 Majors, and Player, who has nine, were joined by first-timer Tom Watson, winner of eight Majors, and played their much-loved role as the Honorary Starters amidst a slight drizzle, which the patrons braved to see them once again.
Saying it was only a matter of time before an Indian won a Major, Player called Lahiri's runner-up finish at the PLAYERS Championship a 'remarkable' performance. He said, "First of all, I was really charmed. I love India, the intelligence, the technology, the manners, the people are so humble - the women dress so nicely.
"And the golf course they've got in Delhi (renovated by Player himself), and with the massive population you have, and with the right coaching, which is essential, they can produce many champions. Lahiri finished second in the TPC, a remarkable effort. If he can do that, he can win here."
Nicklaus stepped in and added, "You were talking about the young Indian players. Anirban Lahiri is a member at the Bear's Club (which belongs to Nicklaus), and I see Anirban quite often. What a nice young man. Handles him- self beautifully, polite, good player. Nothing against Cameron Smith, but when they were coming down the stretch, because I knew Anirban well, I was really rooting (for him) because I thought it would really help the game in India."
Nicklaus added, "I asked him (Lahiri), you've got a couple million dollars to soothe your wounds. He said, 'Yeah, but I'd have rather had the 3 million'".
Nicklaus also said that he, Player and Tom (Watson) and Arnold (Palmer) tried to play all over the world. "It was trying to play golf in different places. Gary has played far more places than I have, and he continues to do so. He's a global ambassador and probably the best we've ever had. Golf is a global game, and we want it to continue to grow globally."
