Despite good round, Jeev keeps one eye on India

Dubai: After shooting a five under par round of 67, Jeev Milka Singh should be contemplating the next three days of play at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic — but instead he's got one eye on the forthcoming Avantha Masters in Delhi next week.

Singh, 40, India's first European Tour performer, carded a bogeyless round with birdies on holes one, two, 10, 13 and 15 to end day one four shots off the lead at the Majlis Course yesterday, bringing him into form ahead of India's sole tournament on the tour, from February 16 to 19.

The winner of 19 titles, including three on the European circuit, said of his return to India: "It's fantastic for Indian golf. It's the third year in a row now having a European Tour event on a good golf course like the DLF — and it's always a treat to play in front of the home crowds.

"I get a lot of support from the people there. I think it's the best thing to happen to Indian golf, and I'm looking forward to it. There's a lot of pressure, but that's what we play golf for.

Praise for course

"It's an excellent golf course, designed by Arnold Palmer. Tree-lined. Trees have grown as the years have gone by, but I feel management is very important on that course. Wind picks up this time of the year and the greens are quite grainy, so you've got to make sure you hit it in the right level.

"It's a very modern course and I think personally I like it better than the old course we played at, the Delhi Golf Club. Delhi was too tight for me — I think I need a little forgiveness, so I prefer DLF.

"Golf is the fastest-growing sport in our country and I think in the future we're going to have a lot more tournaments and the prize fund is going to increase too."

Speaking of golf's rise in the country, Singh noted a burgeoning second tier of developing players. He said: "The young guys are hungry. They want to prove themselves and that's the way it should be. If I was in their shoes, I would do the same. This is what Jeev's done. Might as well do better."

Those Singh tips to take over his mantle as the top Indian player include Shiv Chowrasia — the 33-year-old who won the Indian Masters in 2011 and 2008 and shot a two under par 70 here yesterday — Gagnjeet Bhullar, Anirban Lahiri, Shiv Kapur and Himmat Rai.