Anirban Lahiri wins long drive contest at the PGA Championship

Anirban Lahiri tees off on the second hole during the long drive competition before the PGA Championship.

Indian ace golfer Anirban Lahiri had plenty to cheer about ahead of the PGA Championships which start this Thursday. The 28-year-old won the long drive competition at Whistling Straits on the 593-yard par-5 second hole.

Lahiri’s drive of 327 yards was the one to beat for most of the day. The Indian overtook J.B Holmes, who led at the time with 315 yards. Matt Dobyns came close to beating Lahiri, but fell short by four yards finishing at 323 yards.

The traditional long drive competition began in 1952 at the big spring country club in Louisville, KY. It returned to the tour last year at the PGA Championship in Valhalla. It was Louis Oosthuizen who had the last laugh with a drive of 340 yards, two yards clear of Jason Day.

The golfer must find the fairway for their drive to be counted. The likes of Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Day and Tony Finau missed the fairway.

Lahiri recieved a money clip worth $25,000 that goes as donation to a charity of his choice. Lahiri mentioned that he would donate the money to Vipassana meditation center, which he has attended for the past decade.

The second hole, nicknamed “Big Country” proved to be very tough for players as they missed on both sides throughout the day.

"That was a great start at the PGA Championships. It is always nice to win something. Now I have least one thing in common with the legendary Jack Nicklaus," said as reported by First Post.