US Masters: Jeev 'To Pay My Dues'

Six years ago at the Dubai Desert Classic, Jeev Milkha Singh made European Tour history, needing just 94 putts in four rounds for an average of 23.5 putts per round on the way to his sixth-place finish.

It's quite fitting, therefore, that Jeev should be the first Indian golfer to play in the Augusta Masters that begins today.

Having taken the golfing world by storm last year by winning four tournaments and finishing as Asia's Player of the Year, Singh has been quietly working on his game in the lead-up to the Augusta Masters. And he isn't willing to read much into the results preceding the event in which he made the cut in two of the three events he took part in.

“My aim has been to get as much match-practice as possible. The results in the lead-up tournaments really don't matter as long as I can iron out the rough edges in my game,'' he told XPRESS.

So, is he feeling the pressure now that the big one is upon him? “Pressure is part of the deal and we all have to live with it. I just hope the hours I have put into practice pays off,'' he said.

Singh, however, said that with this being his first year in the US he had anticipated facing problems on courses he had never played before.

“It's always tough playing on unknown courses and that's something I'll have to battle against in my first year,'' he said, adding, “It's, however, time to pay my dues in the USA.''

The 35-year-old does harbour doubts about his putting. “It's still a bit of a concern and although I am working on it, I don't think I am there yet,'' he said.

Looking back at 2006, Jeev said while he had a great year, he would like to better that in 2007.

“This year, I want to play well in bigger tournaments, especially the majors. I always dreamt of playing at Augusta ever since I began playing golf. So, that will be quite an experience,'' he said.