RELATED STORIES Singh named European Golfer of the Month Spotlight on Jeev Milkha Singh Singh climbs to World Number 47 Singh candidate for UBS Special Achievement Award On song Singh wins again and enters top 50 Super Singh claims third victory of year in Japan Singh crowned Order of Merit winner ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Open: Choi takes lead with two closing birdies Open: Liang makes first major cut with fighting 71 Open: Lam makes cut and Singapore golf history Open: Late bogies mean early exit for Prayad IGF forms Olympic Committee with eye to 2016 Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES R 3: Norman takes a two shot lead R 3: Duval stumbles to an 83 R 3: Injury bonus for Harrington R 3: Wakefield boosts local hopes R 3: KJ Choi remains in contention R 3: Garcia disappointed with a 74

Jeev is a fighter, says caddie

The man on the bag for the world's current in-form player has spoken of how Jeev Milkha Singh battled adversity to eventually land global fame.

Ippei Fujimuro of Japan, who has caddied for Singh since 2001, said the tenacious Indian never gave up trying during a seven-year ordeal which saw him sink to the depths of despair following injury woes and a loss in confidence.

"When Jeev was playing bad, he was still always a good guy. He'd always say 'I'm out of here' but he never gave up trying. He's hard working and I'm happy that he's come good this year," said Fujimuro..

He added the turnaround in Singh's career was at the end of 2004 when the Indian threw away a four-stroke lead in the final round of the Okinawa Open. "Those days, Jeev would play three good rounds and one bad final round," he said. "After losing in Okinawa, he decided to read a lot of mental books and listen to tapes. I think that has been a big difference for him. His ball striking has improved as well but I think he's gotten better mentally.

"Previously, whenever he bogeyed a hole, he would go on to bogey the next hole. He could never forget the past," said Fujimuro.

While Singh has often said that the Volvo China Open triumph in April was the catalyst that has sparked a sensational run of form which has seen him win three other tournaments, including the prestigious Volvo Masters in Spain, Japan's most famous bagman believes that a top-10 finish at the TCL Classic in China in the previous week helped Singh see the light at the end of a very long tunnel.

"We were three over par after nine holes in the first round but he battled back to shoot under par. He then went on to finish in the top-10. I think he found out that good results come when you take it shot by shot."

Singh is poised to become a global player next year as he's exempted into all four Majors due to his top-50 in the world ranking and also the World Golf Championship events. Fujimuro feels his employer can scale new peaks.

"He can go higher. He's got a lot of confidence and winning in Europe helps a lot as he knows he's beaten guys like Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington in Europe. He can do it in the Majors," he said.

The pair met in 2001 when Singh earned his Japan Tour card through qualifying school. Fujimuro had just graduated with a Business Management degree. Fujimuro opted to caddie instead and picked out Singh's name from the roster.

"I'd not seen an Indian player before, so I decided to work for him. It's been good.
I think we're more friends these days and he does listen to me on the golf course as well as I know his game so well now," he said.

December 13, 2006