| But tucked inside that news item was also a reference that did not quite make sense. The event might not be open to all. Whether or not it will be ticketed, is again not clear. |
| So, if Singh plays only in front of a select and well-heeled audience from the swish crowd, it will indeed be an opportunity lost. For the sponsors, the game and the fans. |
| A pity indeed, but I am sure something will be done in this regard and golf, which is still way off from being a mass sport, will get some rub-off from Singh's visit. |
| The Skins format is ideal for TV viewing. The players compete at each hole for prize money and a player must win a hole outright to win the prize money for each hole and if two or more players tie then the prize money is carried forward to the next hole. |
| In case of a tie on the last hole in regulation play only the players who are involved in the tie go back to the 18th tee for a sudden death playoff until an outright winner is decided. The prize money per hole keeps increasing through the course of the round. |
| Two years back, when Singh came to India it was a fairly big success. He came after one false start, when he pulled out of his first ever trip to India, following an injury to his foot. |
| But Singh, true to his word, came later in the year to a very popular reception. At the Pro-Am he played alongside a host of celebrities, including Leander Paes, who flew down from Mumbai, especially to play the three holes he got to with Singh. The Fijian then played three holes each with different players and was very engaging and pleasant with everyone. |
| The great news is Vijay Singh will be coming again. But what is confusing apart from the fact whether the fans will get to see him is whether there will be an Indian in the Skins field. Two other names have been announced "" Todd Hamilton and Daniel Chopra. |
| Hamilton is the 2004 British Open champion, who many years ago came to India for an Indian Open, while playing on the Asian Tour. Chopra, born of an Indian father and a Swedish mother, carries a Swedish passport, but is very much an Indian with his love for chicken tikka and the Delhi Golf Club, where he learnt his early golf, while schooling and staying in Delhi with his grandfather and uncles. |
| The docket distributed to the media had a fourth name, Justin Rose, the immensely talented British star, but nothing more, whether he has confirmed his participation or not. As for an Indian name, in the past, there was Jyoti Randhawa and Harmeet Kahlon. But will an Indian pro get a chance to pit his game against the World No 1? That remains to be seen. |
| Indian players like Arjun Atwal, Jeev Milkha Singh and others have known Vijay Singh, who is quite appreciative of their rise and efforts in world golf. |
| I remember Vijay Singh asking Jeev and Atwal to play a practise round with him before the Singapore Masters in 2001, the year the Fijian came and won the Malaysian Open and Singapore Masters in two successive weeks. Vijay imparted some useful tips, and that's the very thing Indian pros would love, if given a chance to play with him. |
| But then sponsors must have their reasons for having big events. They will invite big names, from the industrial and celeb worlds but will Indian golf benefit from that I am not too sure about. |
| Unless of course there is a change of heart and golf fans, kids included, get to see the world's No 1 golfer on their own turf. Yes, it is a thrill for youngsters and oldies alike, and big inspiration to boot. I hope the sponsors are reading this. |
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