After good year, Anirban Lahiri rises to 40th in world rankings

Sentosa (Singapore): Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri, who was crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit winner this season, today rose a rung to be 40th in the latest official world golf rankings.

Asian Tour number one Lahiri, the only Indian featuring in top-100, had triumphed in Malaysia and India this year and also finished tied fifth at the PGA Championship to reinforce his stature as one of the game's rising young stars.

The tenacious Indian will return to Augusta National Golf Club, venue of the year's opening Major, for the second straight season after making his debut last April.

"Starting out the year, finishing in the world's top-50 was one of my main goals and I'm delighted to achieve this target. It also means a lot to me as I will have the opportunity to play in my second Masters Tournament after making my debut this year," said Lahiri, who also earned his 2016 PGA TOUR card through the Web.Com Finals.

"Playing in all four rounds at Augusta National was certainly one of the main highlights of my 2015 season and I'm looking forward to heading back there again for another crack at this great tournament," he added.

Twelve other Asian Tour members will end the season in the worlds' top-200. They are Australian Thongchai Jaidee (28th), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (38th), Cameron Smith (93rd), Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng (100th), Scott Hend of Australia (112th), Marcus Fraser of Australia (127th), Sweden's Rikard Karlberg (136th), Thailand's Prom Meesawat (160th), Jeunghung

Wan (169th), China's Liang Wen-chong (184th), South Africa's Ernie Els (190th) and American David Lipsky (193rd).