BARCLAYS SINGAPORE OPEN RELATED STORIES Barclays Singapore Open home page Barclays Singapore Open Preview Round 1: Lam raises local hopes as weather calls a halt Round 1: Zhang enjoys return to Lion City Round 1: Els hits the front in early morning Round 2: Els and Dyson lead as weather strikes again Round 2: McIlroy edges Noh in battle of the teen titans Round 2: Els & Dyson two ahead as second round completed Round 3: Chapchai leads from star-studded chasing pack Round 3: Chapchai in charge by three from Lam Round 4: Jeev holds off major champions for victory Round 4: Lam secures Tour card despite closing 79 Final Scores & Prize Money Asian Tour Order of Merit standings after the Barclays Singapore Open About the course Lahiri gets a slot thanks to Poulter's lost driver Choi tips Noh and Lee for big time In-form Els relishes Singapore swing Adam Scott going for Singapore hat-trick Seven to watch this week Asia's stars tee it up with world's best Harrington looks to Singapore for final 2008 victory Order of Merit chase resumes at Barclays Pornsakon books last Barclays Singapore berth Kiradech wins a place in elite Barclays Singapore field Thai tigers earn their Barclays Singapore stripes Best of Asia headed for Barclays Singapore Open Kiwi Lee gets Barclays Singapore slot Huge field for Barclays Singapore Open qualifying Prom looks for strong return to Sentosa In-form Atwal targets cross-Straits double Mark Brown - What a difference a year makes McIlroy joins Barclays Singapore field in search of maiden title Harrington to play Barclays Singapore Open Big names sign up for $5m Barclays Singapore MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Han Will Speak At IHT Sports Summit Volvik Agree With Asian Tour Over Sponsorship Memories Inspire Rai In Singapore Break Gives Mamat Route To Success Singapore Classic Welcomes Kia Motors PGA Malaysia Moves To OneAsia CCM Extends Sponsorship Of Impian Masters Faldo To Play In Pro-Am In Cambodia

Event Preview - Lahiri gets a slot thanks to Poulter's lost driver

Indian rookie Anirban Lahiri was handed the opportunity of a lifetime when Ian Poulter's withdrawal on the eve of the Barclays Singapore Open put him into the US$5 million championship and gave him the chance to play alongside American superstar Phil Mickeson.

Poulter, who was to play with Mickelson and Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, withdrew on Wednesday evening because his driver was stolen in Shanghai last week and a replacement would not arrive until Friday evening.

Lahiri, the first reserve, will be thrust into the limelight when he plays in the featured group where they will start from the 10th tee at 7.38am on Thursday.

Playing in his rookie season, Lahiri has played in 10 events, making the cut in six tournaments. He is ranked a lowly 119th with winnings of US$16,095 but a good week at Sentosa Golf Club could well be the break he needs in his young career.

Meanwhile, Poulter was disappointed with his decision to withdraw. "I am really gutted. I have been thinking about it for four hours and I have decided to withdraw because my new driver will not arrive on time," said Poulter.

"It is disappointing because I did not come all this way not to play. But with so many world ranking points at stake if I played badly (by using a different driver) I may have lost ground."

November 12, 2008