We are at the fantastic Chiba Country Club on the outskirts of Tokyo for the Panasonic Open Japan, an event that has become a symbol of friendship and cooperation that exists between the Asian and Japan Golf Tours.

I personally haven’t had any decent outing lately, but I won’t be surprised if something pleasant happens this week. Having played a lot of my golf in the Land of the Rising Sun, and having had some of my biggest wins here, I have no hesitation in saying it is one of my favourite countries to come to. Every time I am in Japan, I just have a good feeling, which is important to score well on the golf course.

My first big success was at the 1999 Kirin Cup, when I finished second to the legendary KJ Choi. I then was a Japan Golf Tour member for nearly a decade before it became difficult to maintain a schedule between Europe, Asia and Japan.

When I first decided to play the JGTO Qualifying School, many of my friends and well-wishers were a bit sceptic. The prevalent view was that it was a very difficult country to live in — especially because of the language barrier and also because of the food, which is such a big thing with us Indians.

I think the only person who was gung-ho about my decision was my father, Milkha Singh. Having run many of his races in Japan, including the 1958 Asian Games and the 1964 Olympics, he always told me how friendly and respectful the people were towards sportspersons, and that if I played good golf, I would get as much love as some of their own biggest stars.

I must say I had absolutely no problems in adjusting to the country and getting used to their traditions. Their punctuality and cleanliness is well-known, and something I greatly respect. I was lucky to have a local caddie, Ippei, who not only helped me get by, but also taught me enough Japanese to go around on my own, and sushi has now become one of my all-time favourite food.

I don’t think my situation is similar to, say Luke Donald at Harbour Links Golf Club and The Heritage, or Martin Kaymer at Abu Dhabi Golf Club during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. I do have a couple of golf courses here that will definitely figure in my list of favourite courses around the globe, but it’s just that I feel immensely comfortable wherever I am playing in this country. It is more like Lee Westwood’s love affair with the South East Asian countries.

The PGA Tour is in Texas for the Valero Texas Open, and that is another place, which is very close to my heart. The reason — I did my college from Abilene Christian University, which is not too far away from San Antonio.

The European Tour is not very far away this week, having travelled to Shenzhen in China for the Shenzhen International. The week after is the Volvo China Open, where I am one of the past champions and I am thankful to Volvo for giving me a sponsor’s invitation. The European Tour categories have changed recently and being a past champion does not guarantee you an entry into a tournament anymore.

(Jeev Milkha Singh is a four-time champion on the European Tour)