Jeev leads huge Indian contingent at Singapore Open

Singapore, November 09, 2011: Jeev Milkha Singh, who triumphed at the Sentosa Island against a very strong field, is hoping to feed of those positive memories as he leads a strong Indian campaign at the Barclays Singapore Open at Serapong and Tanjong Courses from Thursday.

The 39-year-old, who won on the 72nd hole, seems to have found some of the form that catapulted him into the top-30 of the world at one stage.

The field is gigantic by any standards and 204 professionals will tee off on two courses - Serapong and Tanjong - for the first two days and then after the cut, the top-65 and ties will play on the Serapong for the final two rounds.

In keeping with such a huge field, there are as many 16 Indians, one of the highest ever in an event outside of India, and virtually every major Indian golfing name barring Arjun Atwal will be here this week.

"It was a great win in what was also a superb year for me," said Jeev, who after 2008, has been hit by injuries and a loss of form that saw him spiral out of the top-200.

"My goal is to get back to the top-50 and play the Majors as I did 2-3 years back. My game is coming around. I am not fully fit, not 100 per cent but things are moving in the right direction. I have had some decent finishes and I feel more confident," added the golfer, who has had two top-5s in Macau and Japan and then a 10th place finish at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia and tied 23rd in WGC-HSBC.

"It is a challenging course and I like it and it is going to be a great week with some really big names here."

For the Asian Tour players, the event is also about a fight for the Order of Merit, which brings with it a lot of benefits.

Jeev, Asia`s number one in 2006 and 2008, used his Barclays Singapore Open to land the second of his Merit crowns, which rewards the champion with a spot in the British Open and WGC-Cadillac Championship.

"It`s at the back of my mind," said the widely-travelled Indian.

"This tournament made me win the Order of Merit in 2008. I`m thinking about it and will give it a go and see what comes my way. Winning the Order of Merit on any tour is fantastic especially in Asia where I started from," he added.

He is currently ninth on the rankings and Jeev has a great feel about this event in the Lion City.

"Excellent memories. The way I won the tournament was fantastic and it gave me a lot of confidence. The course is excellent and I love Singapore as it`s one of my favourite cities in the world. It`s like New York. There`s so much buzz in the city and that`s what I love about Singapore. I take it down to the golf course with me."

The Indians in the field include the European Tour regulars, SSP Chowrasia, winner of Avantha Masters, Shiv Kapur besides Jeev Milkha Singh. Asian Tour regulars include Gaganjeet Bhullar, Anirban Lahiri, Himmat Rai, Jyoti Randhawa, Gaurav Ghei and Digvijay Singh.

The new lot making their mark in the past one year includes Chiragh Kumar, second at Hero Indian Open, Manav Jaini and Sujjan Singh. Then there is also Rahil Gangjee who played the whole of this year on Nationwide, and made the berth here on the basis of his 25th place on Asian Tour last season.

The trio, Mukesh Kumar, a veteran on Indian Tour, Ashok Kumar, who has been successful at home, and newcomer Rashid Khan are also in the field.

THONGCHAI AND SINGH PLAN MERIT CHARGE AT BARCLAYS SINGAPORE OPEN

Singapore, November 09, 2011: Thongchai Jaidee and Jeev Milkha Singh, two of Asia’s golfing giants, plan to dislodge S.S.P. Chowrasia from the summit of the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit at the US$6 million Barclays Singapore Open which starts on Thursday.

In recent times, Asia’s richest national championship which is held at the Sentosa Golf Club has shaped the Merit race and with current leader Chowrasia struggling to find the form that won him the season-opening Avantha Masters, Thongchai and Singh are ready to pounce.

Thai star Thongchai, the only man to win three Merit crowns, said he would aim for top spot in the Barclays Singapore Open which will feature Major winners including Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Y.E. Yang and Retief Goosen.

“This tournament is important. It’s a big event in Asia and it’s important for Asian players. If someone wins this, you’ll jump to number one. Every time, I’m thinking of the Order of Merit. I will try,” said Thongchai, who is eighth on the Merit list.

Singh, Asia’s number one in 2006 and 2008, used his famous victory at the Barclays Singapore Open to land the second of his Merit crowns, which rewards the champion with a spot in the British Open and WGC-Cadillac Championship.

“It’s at the back of my mind,” said the widely-travelled Indian. “This tournament made me win the Order of Merit in 2008. I’m thinking about it and will give it a go and see what comes my way. Winning the Order of Merit on any tour is fantastic especially in Asia where I started from,” added Singh, who is currently ninth on the rankings.

Singh edged out Harrington and Els by one shot three years ago and a return to the Lion City often brings about good vibes. “Excellent memories. The way I won the tournament was fantastic and it gave me a lot of confidence. The course is excellent and I love Singapore as it’s one of my favourite cities in the world. It’s like New York. There’s so much buzz in the city and that’s what I love about Singapore. I take it down to the golf course with me,” he said.

Thongchai is eager to add the Barclays Singapore Open to his record 13 wins on the Asian Tour but knows his putter must behave on the slick Sentosa greens. With poor putting being his Achilles heel all year, the Thai has tried out the belly putter but eventually settled for a putter with some three inches added to its length.

“I’ve got confidence coming back with the putting. My driving and irons are good. Last few events, I’ve been playing good. I’m happy now. You lose confidence and you can’t play well,” said Thongchai.

“For the past two years, I’ve been changing a lot with my putter. I used the belly putter for a month but it was difficult to putt on the long putts. Now, I’m back to the normal putter but it’s slightly longer at 35 inches. The set-up is a bit more upright and it’s a matter of reading the right lines now.”

Chowrasia knows he must quickly remedy some poor form after being 14-over-par in his last two tournaments in Malaysia and China where he finished 47th and 65th respectively.

“This is an important week. I know I will have to play well to keep my lead as there is a lot of prize money to play for. I’ve not played well here in the past but I feel my game is coming around,” said the Indian.

“Last week, I didn’t drive the ball too well in Shanghai but putted well and in Malaysia, I drove beautifully but didn’t putt too well. I need everything to click in my game and this week would be a good week to do so,” added Chowrasia.