Dynamic duo of Jeev and Jyoti

The presence of Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa among the top 100 is not only indicative of growing Indian presence at the world level but on a more personal note, it could just be a matter of time before one of the duo gets a Major breakthrough.

Jeev, ranked 36th in the world, was joined in the elite 100 by Jyoti after the Delhi player clinched the Thailand Open last week to jump to 94th spot. In their around 15 years on the professional circuit, both Jeev and Jyoti have sustained their temperament and
hunger to win and are capable of triumphing in Majors too, feel experts.

Jeev had said recently that he hoped to win a Major before he retired, something Brandon D’Souza, one of the first few professional golfers of India, feels is very much a possibility.

“Last year Jeev made a million dollars and won practically on every tour. Being in the top 50, he will get to play in all four Majors and so it will be a matter of putting it all together over four days,” feels D’Souza.

“As for Jyoti, he was not having too good a year but the Thai Open evened things out. Jyoti has done well in Asia every time he has played. He has got all it takes to do well on the European circuit but he will have to get used to the weather conditions there,” says D’Souza. “I feel Jeev is better suited because he played more on the Japanese circuit before moving on. Jyoti will have to make his grade in Europe. He is too good a player to keep down, but as of now, I feel Jeev certainly has his nose ahead.”

Agrees  veteran golfer Uttam Singh Mundy: “The two have the temperament to win a Major. I won’t be surprised if they do so in the near future. They are both at the peak of their careers and have enough victories to boost their confidence.”

Jeev, 37, the first Indian to play on the European Tour, has a fair sprinkling of wins on different Tours in his 19 victories. He finished last year as the top player in Asia, winning the Bank of Austria (European Tour), Barclays Singapore Open (Asian Tour) and the Nippon Cup (Japanese Tour).

Jyoti’s 10 career wins have included eight on the Asian Tour, making him the third most successful after Thai players Thongchai Jaidee (11) and Thaworn Wiratchant (10).

D’Souza feels they have just hit the peak. “As golfers, I think the next five years will see them at their peak. I feel a golfer is at his best between 35 and 40 years of age and this certainly is their time.”