What’s in the Bag?

Event – Hero Indian Open 

This week’s tour champion is Anirban Lahiri claiming the prize at the recent Indian Open. The 27 year old Indian fought off fellow native competition to win by one at seven under par.

What is most remarkable about this success is that Lahiri claimed the win without a driver in his golf bag. He follows the example of Phil Mickelson at the Open in 2013 claiming victory with a conservative approach in difficult conditions.

The win has moved the Indian up to 34 in the current world rankings.

Stats Don’t Lie…

The key to his victory was his short game, leading the event in putts in regulation. He averaged a remarkable 1.649 putts that proved decisive as the pressure built on the final day.

Despite the absence of the driver, he averaged 274 yards from the tee and found 60% of fairways. Although this appears lower than an average event winner, the course is notoriously narrow which is why he left the driver at home in the first place!

The Winners Bag…

Lahiri relied on his Callaway Diablo Edge Tour 3 Wood. It ensured he remained in play and provided the confident platform for success.

He successfully used his 5 wood, an X2 Hot from Callaway to compensate from playing further back and utilised a low punch shot frequently to great effect.

His Srixon Irons (Z Forged 725) allowed the champion to break par each day with quality approach play.

His most successful club was the Titleist SC GoLo M3 putter. Despite recovering well from hazards it was his blade that proved the difference.  

Event – True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain

Winner – Andrew Dodt

This week’s tour champion is Australian Andrew Dodt claiming his second career title in Thailand.  The victory came as a shock to bookmakers and the golfing public alike. Having only recently reclaimed his tour card via the qualifying school, he became the second graduate to win on tour this year (Indian Anirban Lahiri in Malaysia).

The 29 year old from Queensland held his nerve to win by one from compatriot Scott Hend and the home favourite Thongchai Jaidee. 

The foundation to his success was an immense tee to green performance over the four days and was a model consistency with the driver.

Stats Don’t Lie…

Hitting a remarkable 73.2% of fairways and an average distance of 301 yards, Dodt found salvation in the short stuff. He also found 79% of greens in regulation, tied 9^th in the field and 100% save success from sand traps.  

He averaged 28.3 puts per round, highlighting consistency with the blade throughout.

All round a solid performance making him a worthy, if unexpected champion.

The Winners Bag…

The coveted driver of the week is the Titlist 915 D3 producing a tournament of long, straight hitting in the heat.

Dodt is Titleist loyal, utilising the successful 714 CB Irons and Vokey SM4 Wedge Series. This was his ultimate strength of the week finding the heart of numerous greens providing extreme control.

His Newport 2 Putter helped the Aussie hold his nerve and sink the winning put after a solid week of holing out.