Anirban Lahiri ends 21st at CIMB Classic

Anirban Lahiri did not quite manage the kind of a finish he was looking for at the CIMB Classic as he closed the week with two-under 70 and ended tied 21st on Sunday.

But the $78,400 he took home from the $7 million event, ensured that he was almost home in his race to win the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

Lahiri, who won the Malaysian Open at this same venue in February and two weeks later added the Hero Indian Open, totalled 14-under 274 as Justin Thomas overcame a double bogey to shoot 66 and win at 26-under 262.

Thomas birdied four of his last six holes to hold off a spirited charge by Adam Scott and earn his maiden PGA Tour victory here.

Thomas finished one stroke better than former Masters winner Scott, who nearly snagged a come-from-behind victory with a superb 63.

India’s other entrant in the event, SSP Chawrasia had his first under-par round at 71 and with a total of three-over 291 he was 73rd.

Lahiri, who played in his first Presidents Cup three weeks ago and is now ranked 37th in the world, was disappointed he didn’t put a better showing at the West course where he had won the Malaysian Open earlier this season.

The CIMB Classic, which is the only event co-sanctioned between Asian and PGA Tours, was also Lahiri’s first on PGA Tour for the 2015-2016 season.

It gave him $78,400 and 49 FedEx points on PGA Tour.