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.”