Jeev feels Indian golf
will soon catch up with cricket

Jeev Milkha Singh, who was judged the Indian Sportsperson of the Year by a TV channel, is convinced that the sport has a great time ahead in the country.

By V Krishnaswamy in Doha

Jeev Milkha Singh is convinced that Indian golf is destined for great deeds. "It is going places and I would say that in next five to 10 years it could take on cricket, but for that it must first become a mass sport," says Jeev, who began his season with a three-tournament swing in the Desert. After missing the cut in Abu Dhabi, Jeev went on in Qatar to mount a challenge at the $2.2 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

"There is a lot of potential out there [in India] and now parents are no longer shy of getting their kids into golf. When I became a pro back in 1993, people would raise their eyebrows and ask if it was possible to make a living from it. Now, when parents see Arjun (Atwal), Jyoti (Randhawa), Shiv Kapur or myself do well, they ask themselves 'Why not our kids?' That is what is going to make a difference in Indian golf," maintains Jeev, the Asian Tour No 1 in 2006.

But he also understands for that to happen, India needs to have more public courses and driving ranges. "Maybe there is not much land in cities for public courses, but we can certainly have lots of more driving ranges. That will encourage the man on the street to take to the sport," feels Jeev. "Right now we have just one public course in India in New Delhi at Lado Sarai. I wish chief ministers and their officers would see the potential of this sport."

He also hopes that the Indian Tour being run by the players under the banner Professional Golfers Tour of India (PGTI) will grow more. "I would like to see the Indian Tour have Rs 30 crore as prize money in the next 10 years." The total Tour is expected to be worth around Rs five crore this year.

Jeev started his New Year with an appearance at the Royal Trophy in Bangkok, and then played in Abu Dhabi where he missed the cut. "I took a break of four weeks, which was bit too long,” he rues. “Now, I am getting back into the tournament mode, and hopefully things will go up from here. My goals this year are to do well in the Majors and the WGC events."

The conditions at Doha also came in for discussion. "The windy conditions will be a big challenge. Scoring is going to be tough but it is going to be great golf with six or seven players from world's top-20," says Jeev.

When asked how he feels being judged Indian Sportsperson of the Year by a TV Channel and, in the process, beating some popular cricketers, Jeev laughs, "I believe Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were also in the reckoning. It felt satisfying and I know golf will catch up a lot. On my return after the 2006 season, I was felicitated and honoured by many clubs where I have grown up and played. It felt great, as recognition is what one works for. And to get that is very satisfying."

On his becoming the first Indian to make it to the Augusta Masters, Jeev says, "The invitation was like a Christmas gift as it came on December 26. I am going to frame it. The Majors are what all golfers want. There will be a lot of expectations and I am going to be nervous, too. But I am going to give it my best shot. I will see if I can get to play a round with some of the ex-champions at Augusta as I will then have a better idea of the course."

On his preparations for the year's first Major in April, he says, "I will be playing in US for a few weeks before that and will play the World Matchplay, WGC and Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, and hopefully I will get an invitation to the Houston Shell Open the week before the Masters."

In Doha, Jeev has brought childhood friend and professional golfer Amritinder Singh to walk with him. Amritinder has been Jeev's friend and confidant for years. They grew up together in Chandigarh. And when Jeev was struggling with swing and other aspects, it was to Amritinder, whom he refers to as “Baba”, that he turned to.

"He is my closest friend. He knew what my swing was like when we were kids back home. He helped me get back to that and it paid dividends. I won four titles and had my best season. Since I am working on a few things right now with my swing and ball positioning, I thought he was the best to have around."

Amritinder will spend the week with Jeev and then fly back.

But for Jeev the journey will continue through Dubai, Malaysia and many other places through the year, during which he hopes to make a mark at the Majors.