SINGH AIMS TO BE ON SONG AT OMEGA EUROPEAN MASTERS

Crans Montana, Switzerland, September 1, 2010: A fit-again Jeev Milkha Singh is eyeing a quick return into the winner’s circle at the Omega European Masters starting on Thursday.

The Indian star, a two-time Asian Tour number one, has endured a frustrating 18 months with injuries but feels he is ready to challenge for top honours again at the picturesque Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

“The game is pretty good. I’m healthy and fit. It’s taken me six months to get fit from the shoulder rotator cuff injury. I’ve got my distance back as I’m able to release the club much better and I can move the ball and feel the club,” said Singh today.

“I’m feeling good and it’s just a question of time when I start holing putts and hopefully have a win.”

Singh, an Asian Tour honorary member, has slipped out of the world’s top-10 and his immediate goal is to fight his way back into the elite top-50 bracket by the end of the season.

“I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. A few top-10s and a few wins will get me there. That’s my goal … to get back into the top-50,” said Singh, who holds six Asian Tour victories and seven other titles around the world.

“It has been a frustrating year with the injuries. It’s been a year and half now. It’s been a tough time but I think it’s all part of learning. All sportsmen go through it. I’m back now and I’m looking to getting back into the winner’s circle,” added the Indian, who won the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit in 2006 and 2008.

His return to form is evident as Singh has missed only one weekend in his last nine tournaments. He is also delighted to return to the €2 million (US$2.8 million) Omega European Masters, jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

“I love this place. It’s one of my favourite places on Tour. It’s a beautiful spot, the atmosphere and the village and people, it’s a great feeling,” he said of the stunning venue which is located in the Swiss Alps.

Singh will not be surprised if an Asian star lifts the Omega title this week which could lend weight to calls for more co-sanctioned events to take place in Europe. “I think it’s fantastic that this co-sanctioned event has happened. When it’s cold out here, the Europeans come out to Asia. Having an event here is fantastic for the Asians as they rub shoulders with the top Europeans and they are good enough to win too,” said Singh.

Countryman Gaganjeet Bhullar is hoping to build on last week’s four rounds at the Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland and challenge for honours at Crans Montana.

“I made birdie, birdie to make the cut at the number last week. I’m hitting the ball well … It’s just a matter of finding a week where everything comes together,” said Bhullar, who won the season-opening Asian Tour International in Bangkok in February.

Former Asian Tour number one Jyoti Randhawa is also in confident mood ahead of the Omega European Masters after posting his first top-10 of the season in Europe last week.

“I’ve been trying to find form and played decent last week. It was good. I’ve changed a few things with my swing but I don’t take it to the golf course. I’m just trying to stick to the changes. It’s all about committing to what you’re trying to improve,” he said.

“It’s the best venue we have in Europe. It’s very picturesque and it doesn’t get better than this. The way I’m playing, I have a fair chance of a good performance here. The confidence is back,” he said.

CHOWRASIA LOOKS FOR PUTTING TOUCH IN CRANS

Crans Montana, Switzerland: India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia hopes to regain his magical short game and turn his season around at the Omega European Masters starting on Thursday.

The slightly built Indian is amongst a strong line-up of Asian Tour stars who will feature at the €2 million (US$2.8 million) event co-sanctioned with the European Tour at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

Since his career breakthrough two years ago when he won the Indian Masters, the 32-year-old has struggled to reproduce his winning form and blamed poor putting for his woes.

“My game is feeling okay. I’ve put in a lot of work in the last few years and changed my swing a bit. I’ve improved on my ball striking but my putting is not so good now. I’ve been missing a few short putts. My strong point is gone. I hope it’ll come back soon,” said Chowrasia.

Nicknamed Chip-putt-sia by the Indian media for his short game prowess, he has changed at least three different putters this season and is contemplating another switch this week.

“The greens here are tricky. Reading the lines is a problem,” said Chowrasia.

“When I play in Europe, I see that my shots and swing is not much different from the top players but they are winning tournaments. My putting has let me down since last year. I’m thinking of changing putter again this week.”

Despite languishing in 173rd place on the European Tour’s Order of Merit and 34th on the Asian Tour’s ranking, Chowrasia is confident he can haul himself into the safety zone when his winner’s exemption expires at the end of this season.

A return to the stunning Crans-sur-Sierre course has put him at ease as he prepares to challenge the likes of British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen of South African, Australian legend Greg Norman and Asia’s top stars Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and countryman Jeev Milkha Singh.

“It’s a nice course. I like this place and it’s so beautiful out there. The course is tricky but it’s fairly short which will suit my game nicely,” said Chowrasia, who is the son of a greenskeeper.

“This is the final year of my exemption on both Tours but one or two good tournaments will help me keep my card. I’ll aim for a good finish this week as I feel good about this place,” he added.

After the high of being in the Swiss Alps, Chowrasia will return to Asia next week to compete in the inaugural Handa Singapore Classic at the Orchid Country Club and also the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan.

“I always like competing on the Asian Tour as that was where I started my career. I’m hoping to play well again as I feel my swing is good.”

Other Indians in the field this week include Jyoti Randhawa, Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shiv Kapur.