It’s been a few manic days for Anirban Lahiri, the de facto host of this week’s International Series India presented by DLF. Story by Joy Chakravarty.

After yet another call disrupted his session at the range on Tuesday, Lahiri looked wistfully at his phone and said: “I have already charged it thrice today. It’s just been relentless.”

Lahiri, the only contracted Asian player on LIV Golf, has been involved with the US$2 million tournament from the conceptualisation stage, and played a key role in ensuring his good friend and Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau’s was able to make the trip.

Despite long days and various commitments, Lahiri is confident of contending for what would be his fifth Asian Tour title on home soil.

Bryson DeChambeau and Anirban Lahiri hosted a golf clinic on Wednesday. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I don’t think I’ve ever compromised on my preparation, because I am always going to be a competitor first. Come Thursday, I am only a player…nothing else,” said Lahiri, who is looking for his first win since the 2015 Hero Indian Open.

“I’m also a host, but primarily, my job this week is to go out and play my best golf and try and win the tournament. I haven’t lost sight of that at any point, and my preparation for the season and for this week has also been with that in mind.

“It’s not a case of being distracted, but definitely there’s the aspect of getting on a bunch of phone calls, trying to figure out logistics, trying to plan some things, and advising the sponsors and the Tour because they are leaning on my experience as a player and someone who is close to all the LIV players.

“So, my preparation is good and I feel very confident. I feel very excited. And obviously, it’s an added joy and motivation to be playing in front of the home crowd.”

Even if the trophy does not land in Lahiri’s lap, a lot is riding on the tournament for him. He is consumed with the idea of presenting India, and Indian golf, in the best light.

Lahiri pictured at a press conference on Wednesday with Paul Casey. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“To be honest, I still feel a little bit anxious, in the sense that I would love for the next four days to go off smoothly. I hope the weather holds. I hope the fans that we’re expecting to come out, which are unprecedented numbers (it’s sold out for the weekend with 20,000 people registering for tickets), do come and that all is managed well,” said Lahiri, who finished 16th in 2024 LIV Golf individual standings.

“So, a lot of moving parts still, but come Monday, hopefully, we can look back and say, ‘man, what an amazing event, what a fantastic turnout, what great quality of golf’. I will be very satisfied, but there is still work to be done.”

The thing about Lahiri is that he takes his responsibilities very seriously.

“As a ‘host’, I don’t think it’s pressure, but more like extra responsibility, which I enjoy because it’s a privilege,” said Lahiri, the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

“It’s an honour to be representing your people, your country, your home event. A lot of my friends have come out to play and I’m very grateful and thankful to them. They are here because I’ve asked them to, so I must make sure that they are looked after, and everything goes well.

“There is also a long-term view to bring LIV Golf to India. A proper LIV event with all the stars. Let’s see where that goes, but a successful week now will surely pave the way towards that.”

On the special bond he shares with DeChambeau, Lahiri said: “We are very close. Obviously, that goes without saying, but we have a closeness within the Crushers that is evident.

“With regards to coming to India and playing, right from the time when the four of us got together in Boston in 2022, Bryson has always been very, very curious and interested in Asia, especially in India, because I’m from here. So, when this opportunity became a reality, it was a pretty easy one for him to say yes immediately.

Anirban Lahiri. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

“What he has done with his socials and his media channels and the way he’s exploded as a YouTube phenomenon globally, I don’t think anyone since Tiger (Woods) has had such an impact in popularising the sport. His presence has created a massive buzz here and it can only be good for golf in India.”

It will be the first tournament of the season for Lahiri, and he said he has set himself simple goals for the year.

“I think the goals and ambitions don’t really change. Still trying to get my first win in a while. Still trying to get into the Majors,” said the 37-year-old Lahiri.

“Outside of those obvious ones, I just want to be a little more consistent. Last year was a lot of good golf, but there was a lot of below-average golf, at least by my own standard.

“I just want to hold myself responsible to my work ethic and my consistency, which has always been the cornerstone of my golf – putt a little bit better and drive it a little bit better. Those two areas I consider my strengths, but they kind of let me down a little bit last year. So macro and micro, but simple goals.”

Bryson DeChambeau will break new ground this week, literally, when he competes in the International Series India presented by DLF – which marks the first time he has been to India.

It is a much-awaited debut with huge crowds expected at DLF Golf and Country Club and the reigning US Open champion is clearly up for the occasion, hoping the trip makes a huge impact on the game of golf in the world’s most populous country.

“First off I want to say thank you to all of India for welcoming me so warmly,” said the American.

“I think the first time I started talking about it [going to India] was last year and what the possibilities are here in India with the kids.

“The ability for golf as really a young sport but changing from an older sport into a young sport, is to showcase what golf can mean for the future generations of India. That’s always inspired me. My mission in the game of golf is to first off, inspire, entertain, and a subtle part of it is educate as well.”

(L to R), John Catlin, Paul Casey, Bryson DeChambeau and Anirban Lahiri pose with the trophy. Picture by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

The 31-year-old, who also won the US Open in 2020, is part of a star-studded field here that includes Indian Anirban Lahiri and England’s Paul Casey – who are part of his Crushers GC team on the LIV Golf League.

“Educate, entertain, inspire are my main three principles of why I play the game of golf. I think this is an amazing opportunity for all of golf to come together and see what India can truly produce for the world. And it’s a growing economy, it’s a growing population that need golf. There’s a lot more to come, so that’s why I’m here.”

He took time out from his busy schedule to visit the Taj Mahal yesterday and it had a profound impact on him.

“I felt like there was a lot of love,” he explained.

“I feel like people just respected the place beyond belief. I was fortunate enough to go downstairs and actually see where they’re laid to rest. And it was pretty special. Being down there, it felt… I mean, it was serene and blissful. You look at the backdrop and the colours of the sky and the white marble and the intricacies of how the building was built, how the Taj was built. I can tell you it’s one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I’ve ever seen in my entire life. So, it was amazing. It was a great experience.”

The Californian faces an all together difference piece of architecture tomorrow, when he tees off in the first round at DLF Golf and Country Club – one of the country’s finest courses, that is also one of the longest and toughest.

Bryson DeChambeau pictured during the Pro-Am on Wednesday. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“It’s a diabolical course,” he joked. “There’s a lot going on and I think the person that’s going to do well this week has to see it for what it is, which is a strategic golf course. You have to plot your way around, be very methodical, and you can’t overpower it.

“It’s not something you can overpower, but you’ve got to be very technical about here. So, 16 through 18 is a great stretch of golf. It is gettable. If you hit the right shots into it. I feel pretty comfortable with it. Off all the rust, I think I’ll give it a good go this week.”

He has been paired with Chile’s Joaqium Niemann and John Catlin from the United States for the first two days. Niemann won The International Series Rankings title last year, while Catlin secured the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

The US$2 million tournament is the opening event of the season on The International Series, and the second stop on the Asian Tour, which got underway at last week’s Smart Infinity Philippine Open.

SSP Chawrasia will attempt to achieve a rare hat-trick of titles at this week’s International Series India presented by DLF, by trying to win a third different tournament at the same venue.

The Indian star claimed the Avantha Masters here at DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi in 2011, and six years later triumphed at the Hero Indian Open at the same venue.

Aged 46 and in the twilight of his career it will be a tall order – especially at an event that features the strongest field ever assembled in India, with the likes of American Bryson DeChambeau playing. However, Chawrasia is very clear about what he needs to do: “Hit it straight and leave myself 10-foot uphill putts.”

A completely different layout was used for the first win, while this week he faces the course that he played in 2017 – one of the longest and toughest on Tour – when he won by seven shots.

“You know, the course is so tough; left, right, water hazards, jungle and everything,” he explained.

SSP Chawrasia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“So, I was trying to play straight shots back then, as that’s my strength, actually. I was just focusing on that and making some good putts. I think that’s why I won. So, I would say that’s the key.”

In 2017, he had a huge lead playing the final hole, a demanding par-five, which has water down the left side, and chose to play three lay-up shots. He reached the green in four and two putted for a six. It his second victory in his National Open as he also won the event the year before, at Delhi Golf Club. It could have been three in-a-row, but he was defeated by his compatriot Anirban Lahiri in a play-off in 2015, also at Delhi Golf Club.

“I remember when I won in 2017 it was my first time playing the course that week, so I practiced a lot, playing 36-hole practice rounds, trying to understand the course. And finally, I did!” Chawrasia said.

He lost his Asian Tour card last year after finishing 101^st on the Order of Merit. Fortunately, having played on the Asian Tour for 25 years with great success, highlighted by six victories, he gets to keep playing through the career earnings category. He is currently 11^th on the table having won just over US$3.5 million.

He finished in a tie for 31^st at last week’s Smart Infinity Philippine Open – the season-opening event on the Asian Tour. That event was also played on a course where he has won before, Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.

“Things were great to start the first event,” he said. “I was playing good actually, just a couple mistakes, but anyway I recovered. But yeah, it’s a great course, and I won the Resorts World Manila Masters in 2016 there.

SSP Chawrasia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“Definitely my game is in good shape. Because even last year, in the beginning of the year I was playing well, so I guess I’m playing the same. I’m in the same situation right now so I’m playing well now, yes.”

Chawrasia’s story is a remarkable one. He started out as a caddie at Royal Calcutta Golf Club, where his father was a greenkeeper, before going onto achieve fame and fortune as a tour pro. He was also runner up in the Indian Open in 1999, 2006, 2013 and has won dozens of domestic titles.

As he gradually winds down his career before the senior game, he’s looking to go out with a bang – so a return to DLF could not have come at a better time.