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Xtra Time Web Desk: Anirban Lahiri has earned a berth to the Tokyo Olympics as he was placed 60^th in the Final Olympic Golf Rankings list which was published on Tuesday.

Lahiri, a former Asia No. 1 and two-time winner on the European Tour, will thus be playing his second successive Olympic Games. Anirban, a PGA Tour regular, had previously turned out for India along with SSP Chawrasia at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The men’s golf event in Tokyo will feature 60 players and will be played at the Kasumigaseki Country Club from July 29 - August 1.

Anirban has not had the best of seasons on the PGA Tour this year with just two top-10s in 16 starts and his FedEx Cup ranking being 118. His season was further hampered when he got down with Covid-19 in late April and thus had to miss out on a string of events on the PGA Tour till mid-May.

Lahiri, who’s current world ranking is 340, was on the reserve list, being a third reserve at best for many players, till Tuesday when the updated Olympic Golf Ranking was published. Thereafter, with a number of withdrawals, Anirban, who has appeared at 16 Majors, managed to make the cut-off for the Olympics.

Speaking to the PGTI, a delighted Lahiri said, “Making it to the Olympics has been a pleasant surprise. It’s a little bit of a shock I would say as I knew that I hadn’t done enough to qualify for the Olympics. I'm overjoyed and so is my family.” 

 He added, “To be honest, after getting the good news I had to think about whether I will compete at the Olympics as a lot of other factors are involved including my full recovery from Covid and my current position on the FedEx Cup standings.”

“But finally it was a quick and easy decision in favour of playing the Olympics as one doesn't get such fortune for no reason. I cherish every opportunity of representing India and would never give up a chance like this. The gods are definitely smiling on me.

The top-15 world-ranked players are eligible for the Olympics, with a limit of four players from a given country. Beyond the top-15, players are eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top-15. The host country is guaranteed a spot, as is each of the five continents of the Olympics.

Aditi Ashok is expected to represent India in the women’s golf event as she is currently placed 44^th in the Olympic Golf Rankings. Like Anirban, Aditi too had turned out for India at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 60-player field for the women’s competition will be announced on 29^th June.