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Kapur foresees golden era for Indian golf

Indian golf is entering a golden era and could well deliver a Major champion in the foreseeable future, says Volvo Masters of Asia title holder Shiv Kapur.

The talented Kapur, who is defending the Asian Tour's grand finale at Thai Country Club starting on Thursday, believes that in-form countryman Jeev Milkha Singh will lead the way in breaking new frontiers after a barnstorming season in which he has won four times on three different Tours.

"Golf is a big sport in India now. People have not realised that over the last few years. We have three golfers in the top 200 in the world and it was only a matter of time before they struck gold, so to speak," said Kapur today.

"There has always been promise, but people have not fully realised that - but Jeev has done that by winning the Volvo Masters in Spain (in October) and getting into the top 50 in the world. Now people are recognising what golf is rather than just looking at cricket.

"I think the next five or six years looks really good for Indian golf," said Kapur.

Kapur knows that Singh will be his chief rival in his attempt to successfully defend the Volvo Masters of Asia crown, which is the Asian Tour's 27th event this season offering a record of US$24 million in total prize money.

The US$650,000 Volvo Masters of Asia features the top-60 players from the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit but Singh, who also triumphed at the Volvo China Open in April, has already wrapped up the prestigious merit crown.

"I think he won three times in six weeks which is amazing at that level. I have a lot of respect for Jeev as a competitor and that (respect) has gone up many folds. He is on top of the world, I spoke to him on Sunday and he cannot stop smiling even on the phone!" said Kapur.

"It is great what he has done. It has an impact for other golfers in India, including me. They are saying, ‘hey if Jeev can do it, so can I. We have come out of the same system’. That impact is going to be long lasting.

"If he keeps that confidence up, the sky is the limit for him. We know this game is all mental, so if you are feeling good you are going to play well. If Jeev keeps playing the way he has been, I do not think that will be far off (winning a Major).

"Realistically, it is possible - obviously winning a Major takes more than winning a normal Tour event. If you can win the Volvo Masters in Europe beating guys like Sergio Garcia, Michael Campbell and Retief Goosen, who have all won Majors, it is a good sign. If you can win at that level on that kind of golf course, he can win a Major."

While Kapur was singing the praises of Singh, he is also determined to sign off his own season on a winning note. The past 12 months have been frenetic for the 24-year-old as he enjoyed his Major debut at the British Open in July and also secured playing rights in Europe next year.

"I am playing pretty good. I have had a few weeks off and I am well rested. Whenever you come back to a golf course where you have played well in the past you seem to find the confidence in your game.

"I feel comfortable round here and before the break I was playing well. I do not need to look at the yardage book as much as I do on other courses. I know what I am going to hit off the tees. There are good memories, you know you have birdied certain holes (last year) so you are feeling good most of the time," said Kapur, who is presently ranked eighth on the UBS Order of Merit.

"Every part of my game is pretty solid, I am relaxed and I am mentally refreshed. I am a better player now than I was a year ago."

Apart from Singh, Jyoti Randhawa will be another top contender to regain the Volvo Masters of Asia title which was snatched from him by Kapur last year. The 2004 champion showed his game was as sharp as ever after a three week break which he spent on biking and a fishing holiday.

"It's all in the mind," said Randhawa, who shot an effortless 67 in the Mel Pyatt Trophy, a matchplay team event which pits the Asian Tour pros against officials in honour of Volvo Event Management president and chief executive officer, Mel Pyatt.

"I spent three weeks biking and went on a fishing trip about five hours drive from New Delhi and it was good. Today was the first time that I've picked up the clubs. I feel mentally refreshed," said Randhawa.

December 12, 2006