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Jeev out to end title drought at home

Winner of a title apiece on the European and Japan Tours this year, Jeev was aware of his failure to win an Asian Tour event at home, reports HT Correspondent.

Updated on: Oct 7, 2008, 23:56:43 IST
None | By , New Delhi
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After two sleepless nights, it was a visibly tired Jeev Milkha Singh as he faced the handful of reporters at the Delhi Golf Club.

HT Image
HT Image

Arriving in the early hours of Tuesday, Jeev explained the reasons for the fatigue. He flew overnight to Doha for a clinic for his sponsors, following which he again boarded a night flight to Delhi.

Jeev comes into the Hero Honda Indian Open after a credible tied 24th in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Winner of a title apiece on the European and Japan Tours this year, Jeev was aware of his failure to win an Asian Tour event at home.

Laced with his trademark humour, the words were, "I want to win my National Open. It is my backyard, but maybe I am not gardening (it) well enough or watering it well. I have come close a few times but hopefully I can end that wait soon."

Comparing the profitable year to 2006, he said, "In 2006, I did not play any Majors. This time I was at the Majors with now a top-10 (PGA Championship). Mentally I am stronger now. Game-wise also I am better."

Jeev needs to stay in the top-15 to qualify automatically for the US and British Opens. He is currently 10th and with recent results, a return to the PGA Championship, looks a certainty.

That leaves the Augusta Masters, where he has performed creditably the last two years.

"A finish in top-50 in the world rankings will ensure a third straight return to the Masters," he said.

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