Macau: Two-time Asian Tour number one Jeev Milkha Singh is set to light up the Macau Open next week in his first appearance at the golf event since 1999.
The Indian star will be part of an elite cast of players to assemble at the 750,000-US Dollars showpiece, which includes five of the top 10 players on the Asian Tour Order of Merit at the stunning Macau Golf and Country Club.
Current Order of Merit leader SSP Chowrasia of India, an in-form Siddikur of Bangladesh, ranked second, South Africa's Jbe Kruger and Rikard Karlberg of Sweden, who won two titles last season, are among those expect to contend in the Macau Open, which returns onto the Asian Tour after a one-year lapse.
Singh, Asia's number one in 2006 and 2008, last played in the Macau Open 12 years ago when he finished at tied 15th place.
"I have not played in Macau in years. I can't even remember the last time I played there. But I love playing on the Asian Tour. I don't want to forget where I got my career started," said Singh, currently 14th on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit.
After competing in four consecutive weeks in Europe, Singh is looking forward to catching up with his fellow competitors on the Asian Tour and also reuniting with his family.
The family will travel to Macau as part of his fan club.
He will also compete in the following week's Asia Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.
"I always like to keep my membership on the Asian Tour and I look forward to playing in as many events as I can. My family is coming to Macau with me. I will be looking forward to that as it will be about four weeks since I last saw them," he said.
Singh, who has won six times on the Asian Tour and has seven other international victories in Europe and Japan, struggled with injuries last year.
He has battled back to form in recent months. He was tied sixth in the Nordea Masters in July and finished tied 35th at the Omega European Masters last week.
"I am pretty happy with my game. I have worked hard on it and I don't have any more injuries.
"I am working on the right stuff and that is the main goal for me - to stay fit," said Singh, who recently surrendered his playing rights on the PGA Tour.
"I can't hold on to so many cards. That is too much travelling and with the injuries I have had, I need to take care of my fitness. It will be less tournaments but more hard work and quality golf," he added.
The Macau Open has been a regular fixture on the Asian Tour calendar and has previously attracted some of the world's best players. The tournament has been won by many stars, including Lee Westwood of England (1999) and Colin Montgomerie of Scotland (2003).
Comments
0 comment