Indian ace Jeev Milkha Singh returns to Omega Dubai Desert Classic

Joy Chakravarty 09:38 14/01/2015
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  • Fitness issues: Jeev Milkha Singh says that he is close to getting healthy again.

    Celebrated Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh returns to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, imbued with a new sense of optimism as he makes his 17th appearance in the tournament at Emirates Golf Club later this month.

    – Rory McIlroy leads premier Dubai Desert Classic line up

    A four-time winner on the European Tour, Singh has endured a frustrating couple of seasons marred by a string of injuries since winning the Scottish Open in July 2012, but received a timely shot of confidence with a creditable showing in the inaugural DUBAi Open at The Els Club, Dubai, last month.

    The Indian ace closed with a four-under par 68 round to finish in a tie for 31st on six-under par but, more importantly, felt good about his game.

    Singh will join world No1 Rory McIlroy, second-ranked Henrik Stenson and defending champion Stephen Gallacher among other big draws in the longest-running European Tour event in the region, starting on January 29.

    Playing after taking a shot of cortisone a couple of weeks before the Dubai tournament, Jeev played pain-free in his shoulder after a long time and said: “I can feel things turning around for me. It’s been long since I felt fit and healthy.

    “The aim is to try and win the tournament. I know I am close, but when it comes to winning a tournament, it’s not just about how you handle the pressure, but also about how you are feeling physically,” said Singh, whose best performance in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic was sixth place in 2001, the year when he set a European Tour record of completing the four rounds in just 94 putts.

    “I have won tournaments in different parts of the world, but winning in Dubai would be special,” said Singh, winner of 21 events worldwide and one of golf in DUBAi’s ambassadors.

    “It’s a great honour to be part of the ‘golf in DUBAi’ team. They have done a tremendous job in raising the golfing profile of this brilliant city. The main reasons the tournament has become a must-play in the list of many players is because they look after us so well.”

    Jeev, who celebrated his 43rd birthday in Dubai last December, added: “Injuries have taken a toll on my body, and the last two years have been especially bad. But the good thing is that I am close to getting healthy again.”

    Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, said: “Jeev has been an iconic figure on the Asian circuit, in particular, inspiring a generation of young golfers.

    “We are delighted to welcome back a player who has been a great supporter of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and golf, in general, in this part of the world since he made his first appearance here in 1996.”

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