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Anirban Lahiri, a seasoned golfer with seven Asian Tour victories, believes the International Series presents a golden opportunity for Asian players to elevate their game and establish themselves on the global stage. Lahiri, the lone Asian player contracted to LIV Golf, expressed regret for not having access to such a platform during his early professional years.The International Series England, with its $2 million prize pool, features 14 Indian players. Lahiri emphasized the significance of this event for Asian players, particularly the younger ones, who can test their skills against a formidable field and adapt to unfamiliar conditions."The weather in the UK changes rapidly, affecting ball distance and trajectory," Lahiri explained. "Players need to learn how to adjust quickly and expand their repertoire. These events provide a fertile ground for growth."Lahiri recalled a transformative round in 2013 at the Thai Golf Championship, where he played alongside Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson. "It was a masterclass," he said. "I witnessed their exceptional ball-striking and realized the need to enhance my own skills.""The International Series offers Asian players the chance to compete with top LIV Golf players and experience diverse conditions," Lahiri added. "The initial years outside Asia will be challenging, but they must embrace the learning opportunities."Lahiri highlighted the importance of understanding limitations and challenging them. "Golf requires different shots in varying conditions," he said. "Players need to identify their weaknesses and develop new skills to become more versatile.""Hideki Matsuyama is a prime example," Lahiri noted. "He left his comfort zone, faced hardships, and emerged as a global superstar. Asian players must embrace these opportunities to achieve similar success."

Anirban Lahiri, the Indian golf ace, has bounced back from a heartbreaking loss at the Andalucia Masters, where he missed a crucial two-foot putt that cost him the title. Despite the setback, Lahiri remains optimistic and is eager to prove himself at this week's LIV Golf UK challenge.Lahiri's resilience was evident when he was spotted practicing diligently at the JCB Golf & Country Club, even before the tournament began. When Claude Harmon III, the renowned golf coach, approached him, Lahiri joked, "Don't worry. Just practicing my two-footers!"The 37-year-old has learned a valuable lesson from his experience at Valderrama. He realized that in golf, as in life, nothing is over until it's over. "I thought it was over. It obviously wasn't," said Lahiri, referring to the missed putt that led to a playoff loss against Sergio Garcia.Lahiri admitted that he had become complacent and rushed his shot. "I hit it dead center of the cup, which wasn't the line. I didn't spend enough time, and I didn't go through my processes," he said.Despite the financial loss and the disappointment of not ending his nine-year winless streak, Lahiri remains determined. "There are a lot of things to be proud of," he said. "I put myself in a position to win again."Lahiri spent the last week in Spain with his family, which helped him refresh and refocus. He is eager to test himself again at the LIV Golf UK event. "It's just this intense eagerness that I want to test myself again," he said.Lahiri will be paired with Bryson DeChambeau and Paul Casey in the tournament, which begins on Friday. He is confident that he can overcome the challenges and emerge victorious.

India's top golfer Anirban Lahiri has expressed concern that the ongoing standoff between LIV Golf and the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) could prevent many top-ranked players from qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.Lahiri, who currently plays in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf, is facing an uphill battle to earn enough ranking points to secure one of the 60 spots available for the Games. The OWGR does not recognize LIV Golf events, making it extremely difficult for players like Lahiri to accumulate the necessary points."There's no point in speculating on what ifs. The reality of the situation is what it is. And within that framework, you have to find a way to qualify," said Lahiri.Lahiri believes that the current situation could serve as a wake-up call for the golf world to address the issue. "It might be a situation where a lot of really good golfers are going to be in the top 10, who could be playing for their countries, don't make it to Paris," he said. "And maybe that's what's needed for the world to wake up and say we need to do something."Despite the challenges, Lahiri remains determined to qualify for the Olympics. He will be competing in the Hero India Open this week, hoping to earn valuable ranking points. "Unless I play well this week and potentially one or two more events, there is not much to look forward to unfortunately," he said.Lahiri, who has participated in two previous Olympics, is currently the third-ranked Indian golfer behind Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar. He is eager to make a strong showing in Paris, but acknowledges that the current ranking system presents a significant obstacle."I had two goes at it (Olympics), I have a whole list of excuses for not playing well (laughs) but then let bygones be bygones," he said. "It's like a major championship, right? You want to have as many starts at majors as possible to contend and to win. So it's the same thing. The Olympics are fewer and much further in between."Lahiri's comments highlight the ongoing tension between LIV Golf and the established golf ecosystem. The OWGR's refusal to recognize LIV Golf events has created a divide in the sport, with some players choosing to join the lucrative Saudi-backed league while others remain loyal to the traditional tours.