New high: Jeev set to tee off in own event
CHANDIGARH: An apt honour is the consensus as the Chandigarh Golf Club gets ready to host the ~1.5 crore Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational tournament presented by TAKE Solutions from November 1 to 4.
As ubiquitous as it is to see an Indian among top golfers in the world, way back in 1993, when Jeev turned pro, it was a rarity. Into his third decade as a top flight golfer, Jeev will play host as well as compete in the event named after him — a first for Indian golf.
“It’s a dream come true for me. I am humbled by the gesture. I have played in tournaments in the USA which have been named after legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and I feel it’s an ultimate honour for a sportsperson to have a tournament in his name,” Jeev said while sitting on the dais along with SSP Chawrasia, Shiv Kapur and Panasonic Open winner Khalin Joshi.
For Kapur, who has shared numerous ups and downs with Jeev, the veteran golfer is an icon and a long time friend. “I have had the honour and privilege to play with him. I see him as a friend and guiding force. We have a lot of memories on tour and I am looking forward to playing this event,” Kapur said.
Jeev charted a course through the unknown in Indian golf. He has the rare distinction of being the only Indian to have won the Asian Tour Order of Merit twice (2006 and 2008). He has won multiple titles on the European Tour, Japan Golf Tour and Asian Tour and has 14 Major appearances to his name. He also achieved a career-high world ranking of 28, which is an Indian record.
Khalin said Jeev was an inspiration to all golfers in India.