US Open: Lahiri returns after 3 years

Pebble Beach (Us), June 12

After having flopped in his first two appearances, Anirban Lahiri will return to the US Open, hoping that third time’s a charm.

Lahiri, who will make his 16th Major appearance, had qualified for the tournament after finishing second at the sectional qualifying event earlier this month. Lahiri had missed the cut in the 2015 and 2016 US Open. Lahiri’s tied-fifth at the 2015 PGA Championship is the best finish in a Major by an Indian. However, he has been struggling this season, with only one top-10 finish on the PGA Tour.

Woods, Koepka ready

The 119th US Open has the makings of a classic as Tiger Woods returns to the scene of a signature triumph to take on a new generation of stars led by two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka.

Koepka, 29, has a chance to do what only one golfer has done before him — win a third straight US Open title.

It’s been more than 100 years since Willie Anderson accomplished the feat, and Koepka says there’s no better place to chase history than Pebble Beach, where five prior editions have produced enduring Major championship memories.

Jack Nicklaus won the first US Open staged at Pebble Beach in 1972. Ten years later it was Tom Watson and in 1992 Tom Kite. Woods triumphed in 2000 by a crushing 15 strokes — still a Major record. — Agencies