By IANS
New Delhi : Jeev Milkha Singh is about to put up his feet and close the year after playing in more than two dozen countries and across five continents in 2007. Showing signs of understandable jet lag, Jeev who has played 40 weeks this year, the most by any golfer, is not shy of playing more.
“I want to play more and more golf. Some say playing more tournaments is a disadvantage. But I want to be a global golfer. I want to be someone like Ernie Els, playing in different countries like Japan, Australia and also in the Europe. But the main problem is of jet lag,” said Jeev, who had a modest 2007 in contrast to a brilliant 2006.
“I had a dream run in 2006 but this year was an average year for me. I had put lot of pressure on me because I had lot of expectations from myself. I wanted to keep myself pushing harder and harder and setting the bar for myself.
“I will also do this in 2008 as well because I love setting new standards for myself,” said Jeev, son of legendry athlete Milkha Singh.
The golfer was speaking on the sidelines of the trophy launch of the Johnny Walker Classic golf tournament, which offers the richest prize money in India. The tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian, European, Australasian and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), will be held at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon.
Last year the 36-year-old Chandigarh-based golfer had a dream run and also qualified for all the Majors this year. Jeev won four titles in 2006 but this year his best finish was tied third at the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup in Japan. He also won the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit title in 2006.
“Playing in the Majors was a great learning experience. I personally feel that I am in excellent form right now. There are few hitches in my game which will obviously be there after playing 40 weeks in a year,” said Jeev.
Asked what are his goals for 2008, Jeev said: “I haven’t set any targets. Perhaps I would take it week by week. But I want to play in the Majors again but I have to wait till March by when the cut-off will be out. And I am hopeful that will get to play in the Majors again.”
The golfer was also elated at the prospect of big tournaments coming to India.
“I think the growth of golf in India has really been fantastic. We have depth in golf talent in the country. But the main problem is of infrastructure. We need to have more public courses, if not few driving ranges are a must,” said Jeev.