Anirban Lahiri Opts Out of Asian Games 2026 Selection
India's top-ranked professional golfer, Anirban Lahiri, will not compete at the upcoming Asian Games. The PGA Tour veteran has officially withdrawn his name from consideration for the national team. Sources within the Indian Golf Union have confirmed this development.
Professional Commitments Take Priority
Lahiri personally requested that the federation exclude him from the preliminary athlete list sent to the Indian Olympic Association. The 38-year-old golfer cited scheduling conflicts with his professional engagements during the Games period.
"He specifically asked us not to include his name in the long list," revealed a source from the Harish Shetty-led IGU faction. "Lahiri explained he would be unavailable when the Games take place. We respected his decision and submitted nine other men's golfers to the IOA instead."
The source added that Lahiri would have almost certainly made the final golf contingent based on his current world ranking, had he been available for selection.
Lahiri's Asian Games History
Lahiri last represented India at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, marking his return to the multisport event after a seventeen-year absence. His Asian Games journey began in Doha back in 2006, where he won a silver medal in the team event as an amateur golfer.
The golfer turned professional the following year and maintained a successful career on international tours. For many years, professional golfers faced restrictions at the Asian Games. Only amateur players could represent their nations until the Jakarta 2018 edition.
Rule Changes Opened Doors for Professionals
The International Golf Federation modified participation rules after the Jakarta Games. These changes allowed both amateur and professional golfers to compete for their countries at the Asian Games. This policy shift enabled Lahiri's return to the Indian team in Hangzhou last year.
Lahiri's absence creates an opportunity for other Indian golfers to step up. The men's team that competed in Hangzhou included Khalin Joshi, SSP Chawrasia, and Shubhankar Sharma alongside Lahiri. The IGU has now forwarded names of nine male golfers for potential selection to the IOA.
This decision highlights the ongoing challenge elite athletes face when balancing professional careers with national representation. While fans will miss seeing Lahiri compete under the Indian flag, his commitment to his professional tour schedule remains his current priority.
