Lipsky, Lahiri take Merit battle to Macau, Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Oct 7: American David Lipsky and India’s Anirban Lahiri will resume their battle for the prestigious Asian Tour’s Order of Merit crown at the upcoming Hong Kong Open and Macau Open.

The top-two ranked golfers on the region’s premier Tour have committed to play in both tournaments which will offer a combined $2.2 million in prize money. Lahiri and Lipsky will be joined by many world-class stars including Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez in what is poised to be a thrilling two-week swing.

Lipsky leads the Merit list with $665,725, thanks largely to an impressive victory at the European Masters in Switzerland last month while Lahiri trails in second place with $342,689.

The Indian, victorious at the Indonesian Masters in April, knows the magnitude of the challenge and believes he needs to secure a second victory of the season to have a chance of becoming Asia’s new No.1, a title won previously by compatriots Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh.

“I’m looking forward to both Hong Kong and Macau. I came close in Macau last year, played well in the last round (with a course-record tying 62 to finish second)," said Lahiri.

"Last year in Hong Kong, it was the first time that I played really well to finish tied 12th. I seem to have found my place in Fanling and got the clubbing right. I’m feeling positive going back to Hong Kong."

The $1.3 million Hong Kong Open, jointly sanctioned with the European Tour, will be played at the Hong Kong Golf Club Oct 16-19 while the full-field $900,000 Macau Open will be played at the Macau Golf and Country Club Oct 23-26.

The 26-year-old Lipsky, whose triumph in Switzerland was his second on the Asian Tour, also finished tied 12th in Hong Kong last year and missed the cut in his only appearance in Macau in 2012.

“Anirban is playing pretty well right now and a bunch of other guys in the top-10 are playing good. Rikard (Karlberg) and Antonio (Lascuna) are also playing well. Those two guys, on any given week, can pop off and play well. I have to play solid for the rest of the year to lock it (Merit title) up. But I’m in a good spot right now,” said Lipsky.

Lahiri, 27, has also developed into a star in his own right with four career victories on the Asian Tour. He also played a big role in Asia’s thrilling draw with Europe in the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia earlier this season.

With both the Hong Kong and Macau courses demanding precision and accuracy, he believes it could play into his hands as he chases Lipsky.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m playing well. Growing up, people say that I would play great in open courses as I hit it far and I like to hit driver. But my wedge play is quite good and I’ve kind of matured into playing all kinds of tracks," said the Indian.

"I actually enjoy playing on tight and tricky courses and I don’t know if it’s because I’ve won at the Delhi Golf Club (three times) which has helped me figure out things when I’m playing on other courses.”