Impending exams and a wrist injury meant Anirban Lahiri couldn’t be where his heart was. But following the action on television as bigtime golf came visiting Delhi, the heavy heart turned into utter delight. “It was just brilliant; SSP Chowrasia winning India’s first-ever European event. We’d had Jeev (Milkha Singh) and Arjun (Atwal) winning there earlier, but happening right here, it was just great,” he gushes.

“For all of us, competing with Chowrasia on the domestic tour event after event, it is extremely inspiring. We have a new stage to try get on and a new star to emulate.”

Having been off the course for two weeks now, the Secunderabad boy will plunge headlong into the centre of the frantic action himself this week with the Asian Tour Sail Open. “Events like this are huge for people who’re starting out. We get to compete at that level, but there is no need to put undue pressure on oneself,” the 20-year-old says.

And even though he couldn’t be there himself, Lahiri had close friend Abhishek Jha — who played the Indian Masters — picking up tips for him. “Oh, he was literally bowled over to see all those players in flesh. He was talking to me about their routines and practice drills and how they go about their work,” he explains.

“I’ve been thinking about what is happening, but what I fear is it shouldn’t be a one-time investment. Indian golf is getting a never-before visibility. And that needs to be sustained. A one-year or two-year show will not be any good. We need to have it going for it to have an impact.”

A silver-winning member from the Doha Asian Games, Lahiri had entered the domestic pro tour by topping the qualifying school. He’s placed 14th on the Order of Merit now, with two top-10 and two top-20 places already. But the target this season, he says, is a win. “Concentrating on finishing graduation, I’m going to play the Asian Tour for the experience this year. Domestically, I think I still haven’t been performing close to what I can. I would be happy with one win, at least,” he says.