Asian golf was basking in pride after two players – India’s Anirban Lahiri and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee – qualified for the International Team to face the United States in next month’s Presidents Cup.
A few Korean and Japanese players have made it to the team before, but none of them have such deep-rooted connections with the Asian Tour like Jaidee and Lahiri, the two highest ranked players from the continent in the world.
Jaidee, ranked 44th and the only player to have won the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown three times, finished ninth in the Presidents Cup standings.
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Lahiri, who is 40th in the world ranking and is the current Order of Merit leader, held on to the seventh position when the qualification period ended with the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday night.
An elated Lahiri, who finished tied fifth at the PGA Championship last month for his best career finish to date in a major, said: “I can’t describe the feeling because growing up, you look up to events like the Ryder Cup and feel terrible about it as you can’t be a part of something like that. But thankfully, we have the Presidents Cup to aim for and it is an achievement to make the team.
“I know Jeev (Milkha Singh) was really close to getting in one year when he was in the top-50 and unfortunately, he couldn’t due to injury. It would have done a lot of good for golf, not just in India but in Asia.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of the International Team. It’ll be a massive boost for golf in the region. You get so many eyeballs and everybody in America will be watching. To be a part of something historic like that is extremely special.”
Congratulations @stevenbowditch and Sangmoon Bae on making it to the International Team. Let's do this partner! #PresidentsCup
— Anirban Lahiri (@anirbangolf) September 8, 2015
Jaidee, who came close to making the International team in 2013, was delighted to add another highlight to his glowing resume.
The 45-year-old Thai legend, who was the playing captain for Team Asia in the thrilling come-from-behind 10-10 draw with Europe in the EurAsia Cup last year, said: “It’s a proud moment for me. It’ll be the first time that a Thai player will play in the Presidents Cup.
“I think it can help the other young Asian players. When they see that I can get into the team, then they too will aim for it.”
New Zealand’s Danny Lee was the last player to get in, when he finished inside the top-42 at the Deutsche Bank Championship and moved to 10th in the standings.
The tournament will be played in Incheon City, from October 8 to 11.
