Mom’s health in mind, Jeev equals course record

Neither an injured index finger on his right hand nor the news of his injured mother needing a surgery back home, could stop Jeev Milkha Singh from equaling the course record of eight-under 64 on the third day of the DP World Tour Championships, here on Saturday.

Neither an injured index finger on his right hand nor the news of his injured mother needing a surgery back home, could stop Jeev Milkha Singh from equaling the course record of eight-under 64 on the third day of the DP World Tour Championships, here on Saturday.

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The 40-year-old Jeev, seemingly out of the tournament at one-over for 36 holes, exploded into action with nine birdies against one bogey to rise to seven-under 209 and into tied 25th place, up from 50th overnight.

Jeev is the seventh player to shoot 64 on the Earth Course in Dubai, and he may well have the record for himself but for a 15-foot putt grazing the hole on the 18th.

Jeev, who is ignoring a doctor's advice to take an extended break from the game, has also had to handle the news of his 76-year-old mother, suffering a fall in the driveway outside her home and hurting her leg badly.

"I learnt about it before I teed off yesterday," he said. "She needs major surgery and I'm going to fly back tomorrow (Sunday)."

Overnight co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald shot 66 each and shared the 54-hole lead at 17-under.