Lahiri bounces back from rough start at New Orleans

Anirban Lahiri bounced back from a disastrous start at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans here.
After being three-over through the six holes on a truncated weather-hit Thursday, he hauled himself up on Friday, when he played 30 holes in hot and humid weather to ensure weekend action.
Lahiri, three-over after six holes, got back to even par in first round to be placed tied 80. He then rose to tied 46th after 36 holes with a bogey-free 69 at the hot and humid TPC Louisiana.
Sharing the lead were Jamie Lovemark and Jhonattan Vegas at 11 under when second-round play was suspended because of darkness and a good number of players were yet to finish their second round.

Lahiri spent the last two weeks settling into his new home in Palm Beach and also got some time with his India-based coach, Vijay Divecha, who came over to the United States for the period.
Speaking about his break, Lahiri said, "It was nice to have a break, really rejuvenated me. It is nice to finally have a pad again in America and Vijay (Divecha) sir was here. It gave me a chance to just unwind and relax a little bit. It's been very hectic, there was no off season this year, so the last two weeks felt a little like that and (I) also worked a little with my coach," said Lahiri.

Talking of the play so far he said, "It was a good fight back. Sitting for seven hours because of the weather, did not do me any good. The body felt quite terrible for the six holes that I finally did go out to play," he added.

But Lahiri recovered in time.
"I am really feeling happy with the way I am swinging the club. I am playing great golf and felt good to concentrate the way I did to play the 30 holes that I played today."
Lahiri needs a good result to get back into top-50 and to get into the Players Championship. He is currently down to 53rd in World Rankings.

When play ended early on account of darkness following a long stoppage due to thunderstorms on the first day, Lahiri at three-over in six holes was just four spots from the bottom.
Earlier on 12th, Lahiri lost his rhythm as the group - he played with Patrick Reed and Bryce Molder - was put on the clock. He hit into the greenside bunker on par-4 12th and also failed to hole his 15-foot par.
"I played well all day, except for that bad swing on 15th," admitted Lahiri.
"Also, maybe I lost a bit of my rhythm, when we were put on the lock on the 12th hole."

Of his front nine, he said, "The first 11 holes were great. Five birdies till then gave me an outside chance. I holed a few nice putts inside 10 feet but missed another one or two between 15 and 20. But the going was good. Then I fell back (with a bogey on 12th)."
Commenting on his first top-10 finish since the tied fifth place at the 2015 PGA Championships, Lahiri said: "The game is definitely turning a corner. I am feeling good. Hopefully, I can build on this going further."
Lahiri is also due to tee up at the Memorial next week and then he takes a week off before the US Open at Oakmont.

Spieth, who had nine pars on front nine, shifted gears on the back nine. He had three birdies in a row from 10th to 12th and again three in a row from 16th to 18th. He finished with a round of 65 that gave him a comfortable win at 17-under.
Second placed Harris English held at least a share of the lead for sometime just before and after the turn in the final round.
Local Ryan Palmer (68) and Webb Simpson (68) were tied for third while Kyle Riefers (68) was fifth.