Thursday 26 February 2015 14:30, UK
The European Tour’s newest star Anirban Lahiri has set his sights on being successful in the United States and admits his career ‘has changed overnight’ following his recent victories in Malaysia and India.
The 27-year-old Indian is up to No 34 in the World Ranking and his brace of victories during February means he now has a three-year exemption on the European Tour.
Lahiri, who secured his Tour card via the qualifying schhol last autumn, admitted: "It's a whole new world out there, everything has changed overnight.
"These are exciting times. It's a lot to take in such a short space and all I can think of right now is to play well for the rest of the year.
"The Malaysian win was special because it was my first on the European Tour while the Indian Open is important for sentimental reasons because it is our national Open
"My priority is to be playing in Europe and America. It did prove to be the right decision because I got my European Tour card.
“And now that I'll be on the European Tour for the next three years by virtue of being a multiple-winner, I can move my focus toward the PGA Tour.
"My aim is to win in America, to play well in the majors. That will be the true test."
And Lahiri says it has taken him a few seasons to learn the art of getting over the winning line in tournaments.
He added: "It would not be right to say I revel in such situations. It's just that over the past two to three years I've been in contention many times and have learnt from when I have not won.
My aim is to win in America, to play well in the majors. That will be the true test.
"You have to understand how your body and mind function during challenging times. That understanding has probably improved for me with experience.”
Lahiri finished second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit last year and credits Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa for putting Indian golf on the map.
He went on: "Our entire generation is inspired by them. It's thanks to these three players that Indian golfers have the confidence of doing well.
"Several of us have been winning on the Asian Tour. A certain belief system has developed and when one of us wins, others get a confidence booster. Everybody spurs each other."
