Aggressive and carefree is how Jeev Milkha Singh wants to play this week at the Hero Indian Open, but the senior pro reckons the seventh and 14th holes at the tricky DGC may pose a big threat to the golfers.
Aggressive and carefree is how Jeev Milkha Singh wants to play this week at the Hero Indian Open, but the senior pro reckons the seventh and 14th holes at the tricky DGC may pose a big threat to the golfers.
Jeev, a two-time Asian Tour number one, has won National Opens in Scotland, Singapore, China and Austria, but the Indian Open trophy remains as his most sought after prize.
"It has been a while since I've come back to play at my National Open. There's a lot of history especially on this golf course. I last played here during the Panasonic Open in 2012. So I'm very excited to be back," said Singh, who finished at 4th spot during the 2008 Indian Open.
"I will be carefree this week. I want to start again and be aggressive. I don't have any targets in mind but I think a 10 or 12-under will be a winning course this time. The seventh and 14th holes will pose a big challenge to the golfers this week as the former is no more a par 5 hole. Generally, 14th is a birdie hole but this time, a lot of golfers will drop bogeys here. It won't be easy and so I have to be little calculative as well. I will look to go back to basics, so it would be fairways and greens for me," said Jeev.
It has been more than two years that Jeev won a tournament and his current form is also a concern as he's missed his last two cuts, but the Chandigarh golfer said he is feeling good about his game and hopes to do well this week.
"I have got back my distance control. I am hitting as well as I did when I was in my 30s. I am injury free and feeling fit again. I have been doing a lot of rowing last two years to build my strength. I know results have not been good but I am hoping a good performance is round the corner," said the 43-year-old, who won the Scottish Open in 2012 last.
The first Indian golfer to break into the top 100, Jeev hailed the emergence of the new generation of Indian golfers such as Anirban Lahiri and Rashid Khan and believes more young Indian players will break into the World's top 50.
"The young Indian golfers are more knowledgeable now. They know what's the right stuff for them, they have better idea about fitness, equipments and they work hard and follow their coaches advice. That's the main reason why these young players are doing well especially Anirban," said Jeev, who has won four titles on the European Tour.
"In the future, I think we will see more young players coming from out of India and they will be inside the top-50 in the world," added the six-time Asian Tour winner.
Jeev, who has won four times on Japan Tour, said Indian golfers will have an advantage when they tee off at the DGC during the Indian Open.
"There is always pressure on a golfer when one tees off but I think Indians will be at an advantage at DGC this week. They know the course well. SSP Chowrasia proved it when he won the 2008 Indian Masters here. It will be a strong field but I think Indians will play well," he said.
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