The Hindu : Sport : It is a dream come true: Jeev

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Thursday, Dec 21, 2006
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It is a dream come true: Jeev

Special Correspondent

HONOURING THE HERO: Chief of the Army Staff Gen. J.J. Singh presenting the Indian Golf Union blazer to Jeev Milkha Singh. — Photo: V. Sudershan

NEW DELHI: "When I started the year I never thought I will be coming back to such a welcome," said Jeev Milkha Singh on Wednesday.

India's most successful pro who jumped from 347 to 37 in the world rankings this year when he won four titles including the prestigious Volvo Masters in Spain, was speaking at a felicitation function organised by the Indian Golf Union (IGU) at the Army Golf Club here.

Jeev had returned late on Monday night after sweeping three awards at the UBS Awards gala in Bangkok on Sunday, including the Players' Player of the Year award. He ended the Asian Tour with a record prize money of $5,91,884.

"This has been a dream come true for me," said the Chandigarh golfer as he looked back at the outstanding success he had this season after six winless years on different Tours. "Six years of struggle taught me how to be patient," the Chandigarh golfer said as he recalled his climb from being a junior through his amateur days and early professional career.

Too result-oriented

"I was too result-oriented earlier. Now I go there day after day and try to control my process and routine. I am no longer result-oriented. You cannot control the result, but you can control the human body," he said later as he talked a small bunch of mediapersons.

Starting with the China Open in Beijing in April he had blazed a remarkable trail this season, winning the Volvo Masters at Valderrama, Spain, the biggest win of his career and rounded off his title-winning spree with back-to-back triumphs in Japan. He was planning to compete in 15 to 20 tournaments in the US in the season ahead. To begin with he would be going to Thailand in January and onto the Middle East before going to the US in the build-up towards his Augusta Masters debut in April. He had qualified for the Major by being in the top 50 of the world.

100 per cent push

Jeev said that the Indian Tour should get "close to cricket in about 10 years time". But he wanted the corporates to come in more. "At least another 40 to 50 per cent more. You need a 100 per cent push," he said.

The Chief of Army Staff, Gen J.J. Singh, who is also the President of the IGU, presented an IGU blazer and tie to Jeev in honour of his achievements. "Well done Jeev, you are an inspiration to all," Gen Singh had said as he walked in and greeted the golfer.

Later, in his speech, Gen Singh said that Jeev's legendary father Milkha Singh was the first to achieve a great feat and now the son could add to the success. He recalled that it was his (general's) father, who was present at the function, who had spotted Milkha's talent in the 60s while the athlete was in the Army.

Milkha Singh while thanking the IGU and the Army for honouring his son, urged the authorities to entrust the training of the Indian sportspersons preparing for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to the Army.

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