Refreshed Jeev ready to take on world’s best in Abu Dhabi

10:10 12/01/2014
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  • In familiar surroundings: Singh.

    He battled a unrelenting index finger injury throughout a challenging 2013 season, but just days ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Indian ace Jeev Milkha Singh says he is refreshed and can’t wait to take on the world’s best.

    A long-time stalwart of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Singh says he is feeling vibrant and ready to tee-off his 2014 season at an event which has become one of his favourites on the European Tour.

    This year will mark the eighth time that Singh will return to the capital for a shot at holding the coveted Falcon trophy.

    Singh said: “I’m looking forward to giving it everything I’ve got in Abu Dhabi, a place where I’ve thoroughly enjoyed opening my season for a number of years now. I know the course well and I’m determined to use that experience to my benefit this week. I feel as good as ever and can’t wait to get the season underway.”

    Singh, whose Abu Dhabi-career best finish is 24th, turned professional in 1993. He has since smashed several home-country records, becoming the first Indian to qualify for the European Tour in 1998 and owning the title of most successful Indian on Tour with four wins to his name.

    The 42 year-old was the first Indian to break into the Official World Golf Ranking top 100 in October 2006.

    Jeev’s best result of the 2013 season came in the UAE at last year’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic where he came 10th, and he hopes to recapture some of that magic in Abu Dhabi next week.

    “I nailed in my only top 10 result of 2013 in the UAE last year with a particularly strong third round.”

    Singh joins a field that includes Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup winner Henrik Stenson, world No5 and five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson, world No6 Rory McIlroy, former world No1 Luke Donald, Abu Dhabi’s ambassador Matteo Manassero, crowd favourite and world No10 Sergio Garcia and reigning Champion, Welshman Jamie Donaldson.

    Three-time Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer also returns, while world no4 Justin Rose has withdrawn having failed to overcome a niggling shoulder injury.

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