Singh's victory provides great boost for Indian golf
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2006 Volvo Masters | Wrap | 30 Oct 2006
Jeev Milkha Singh further confirmed the growing strength and status of Indian golf by winning one of the more significant events on the European Tour, the Volvo Masters, at the Valderrama today.
Along with Jyoti Rhandawa, Shiv Kapur, Gaurav Ghei and others, Indian golf has moved to another level in the past three years or so and that an Indian golfer was able to defeat Europe’s best this week will further lift the profile of the game in that country.
Singh and the 54 players in the field at Valderrama battled a demanding golf course and trying overhead conditions all week and that only four players finished under par at the completion of 72 holes reflected just how tough it had been.
Singh had taken the lead with a superb round of 68 on Saturday and led into day four by one over Johan Edfors, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood. As his closest challengers struggled early on the final day, Singh handled the front nine well and by the time he made the turn he was at three under for the tournament and was still in front, albeit narrowly, over Garcia.
Big finishes were coming from further back in the field however and when both Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald, who had both started the last day in 13th position and more than an hour ahead of the winner, finished their tournament at two under there was still much to do for those on the golf course.
Singh dropped shots early on the way home but a birdie at the notorious 17th allowed the luxury of a last hole bogey to still take the title. He didn’t know that at the time of course as Garcia was only one shot behind Singh as they played the last. The last hole bogey by Garcia was a painful and costly blow for the local hero.
“I’m so excited about this win,” Singh told European Tour Radio not long after the round. “I’m not sure it has set in yet and probably won’t until tomorrow.”
Harrington managed to overhaul Paul Casey to win the European Tour Order of Merit but, as the long time leader in that category, Casey was brave in trying to defend the lead he had created. Despite a horror start to the event, Casey’s last round of 69 so very nearly kept the Irishman at bay but in the end the difference between the two on the final money list was €35,000.
Of the Australians, Peter O’Malley was the best of the three in the field and continued a good run of late season form after his 5th placing in Mallorca last week. After an early double bogey today he recovered to shoot a one over par 72 on a tough day and finished 13th.
Richard Green had his moments in the tournament, especially with an opening round of 67, but struggled over the closing stages and was 28th. He finishes as the second highest stake earner amongst Australians in Europe in 2006 in 27th place, just one place behind Nick O’Hern who did not play this week. Brett Rumford finished 53rd.
The European Tour’s next tournament is the HSBC Championship in China starting on November 9th which ironically is the first event of the 2007 season.
