Far from the Olympic spotlight, Jeev Milkha Singh is steadily climbing the golf rankings.
For the last few weeks, all the spotlight has been on the Olympics and the Indian athletes that would be representing the nation. Far away from it, Jeev Milkha Singh continues to be the shining beacon for Indian golfers. In the last two months, the Chandigarh-based golfer has added two more titles to his kitty —the Japan Open in July and the Austrian Open in June.
Currently in the US playing in the PGA championships, Singh has been carrying an ankle injury yet has been performing quite well. “I have been in good form over the last two months but am keeping my fingers crossed that injury doesn’t hamper my chances at future events.”
This was the third time that Singh scooped up a title on the Japanese Tour and says that he enjoys playing there. “Its been a happy hunting ground for me,” he reflects. There was a question mark over his form and fitness early in the year.
“Every athlete has ups and downs and I am no different,” he shrugs off the doubters. Singh says that he has never been bogged down by the expectations. “In fact, they egg me on to do better,” he adds.
His focus right now is to do well and climb up the world rankings. Currently he is ranked number 66 and has shown great form throughout this season. Apart from the two title wins, he has two runner-up finishes and four other top-10 finishes to his credit. He also finished a tied 25th at the US Masters this year, which incidentally, was also the best ever finish by an Indian at a Major.
Due to his good form, he is currently placed 11th on the European Tour Order of Merit and second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. In 2006, he has already received the Asian Tour of Merit, but the 38-year-old is not looking too far ahead. “Right now my focus is to continue the form and hopefully the results will follow.”