Jeev Milkha Singh to Play Through Pain in Dubai Open Golf
Jeev Milkha Singh hopes to celebrate the week of his birthday by returning into the winner's circle, with his last success being the 2012 Scottish Open.
Indian golf legend Jeev Milkha Singh is prepared to play through pain as he seeks to end his year on a high note at the inaugural Dubai Open which starts on Thursday.
The two-time Asian Tour number one is returning from an enforced three-week break after having a cortisone jab into his right shoulder but Singh, who celebrated his 43rd birthday on Monday, admitted the treatment has failed to alleviate the pain.
"There's still pain, so I don't know whether the shot has worked or not. The doctor says it hasn't because you should have no pain after two weeks," said Singh on Tuesday. "But I'm here and I'm going to enjoy this week."
Singh paid tribute to the Asian Tour and event promoter and organiser golf in Dubai for launching the newest USD 500,000 tournament on the region's premier Tour, which is also the final tournament of the 2014 season.
Top Asian Tour stars including Prom Meesawat and Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Filipino Angelo Que and India's Rashid Khan, all ranked in the top-10 of the Order of Merit, will tee up at the immaculate The Els Club Dubai in search of the inaugural Dubai Open trophy.
Former British Open champion Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, who needs a lone 16th place or better finish in Dubai to qualify for the Masters Tournament in April, are also in the field.
"I think it's fantastic. We love Dubai as a city. I think it's a multicultural place where the golf courses are fantastic. And golf has grown in this region. The field is strong this week and we are hoping this event will be a success," said Singh, who is also a golf in Dubai ambassador.
With his family in Dubai, Singh hopes to celebrate the week of his birthday by returning into the winner's circle, with his last success being the 2012 Scottish Open. "We are going to have a great week. I just want to enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the game," he said.
"Yes, I'm 21 now," he said laughing. "I think after 40, you don't count how old you are. You just say you're 21. That's the way I feel."
A total of 23 MENA Golf Tour players will also feature in the 114-man field this week which includes England's Joshua White and Zane Scotland and the region's home players led by Ahmed Marjane Faycal Serghini and Younes El Hassani of Morocco.
The Els Club Dubai is situated within the sprawling Dubai Sports City where the par-72 course combines links style golf with traditional 'classical era' design. Opened for play in 2008, the course stretches 7,538 yards and was named as 'Best New International Course' by prestigious US magazine, Links, and "Best New Facility of the Year" by Troon Golf.
(With inputs from the Asian Tour)