RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Anirban Lahiri, competing at this week’s PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, was asked Thursday what he thought of his Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau’s hole-in-one challenge over his new house, which was finally accomplished after 16 days and massive engagement across DeChambeau’s social channels.

Lahiri shook his head and smiled. Then he replied with a laugh:

“I thought it was the stupidest idea, actually. I remember we did a Google Cloud outing for LIV three weeks ago, or maybe 3-1/2 weeks ago, at Pebble [Beach]. All four of us [Crushers] were there.

“Literally, in the lunch break, he ripped his phone out, like he always does. ‘Hey, Baan, look at this. I’m doing this hole-in-one challenge, and this is the first one.’ He had just done Day 1 and had not pushed it out yet, but he had recorded it. He’s like, ‘I’m going to start pushing it out once I go home after this. I’m gonna hit this one shot over the house.’

“Obviously I’ve been to his house from when it was still under construction 2-1/2 years ago. Feels like a long time ago to now when it’s almost ready and pretty close to completion, when he was laying out that green, his go-cart track – there’s a lot going on there.

“He said, ‘I’m gonna put a mat down.’ I’m like, ‘Bryson, you’re such an idiot.’

“But you know what? He knows what he’s doing. And I will give him a lot of credit, and his media team as well. … They really have their finger on the pulse, and they’ve really done a fantastic job. This last series has probably propelled him more, barring his round of golf with the president, than anything else that he’s done.

“So, I’m happy for him. He cares deeply about his engagement and what he does. It’s great to see, actually.”

Lahiri was then asked if he was surprised it took DeChambeau 16 days – and 134 attempts – before finally recording his ace.

“You know, hole-in-one – the chances are so slim,” Lahiri said. “The fact that he did it – I’m just happy he did it because he would probably lose sleep and lose his mind if he didn’t. I just sent him a text saying, ‘I’m just glad it’s over.’ Good for him.”