Singh hopes for tough Carnoustie in his fifth major

Asian Tour number one Jeev Milkha Singh makes his debut in the British Open next week where he hopes the Carnoustie course will bare its fangs once more.

The Indian star, who claimed four titles in a bumper season last year and won the prestigious UBS Order of Merit crown, relishes playing on tough conditions and said the harder the course, the better it is for him.

“I love playing tough courses, it’s a challenge for me,” said Singh. “I have more patience when I’m playing a tough course. I’ll tell myself I will make mistakes just like everybody else, so it’s just a matter of making fewer.”

The son of an Olympian, Singh has proven that he has the talent and tenacity to handle the demands and pressure of Major events. In his US Masters debut in April, dubbed by many as the hardest in its history, Singh finished 37th and improved by one rung at the US Open last month.

The British Open will be Singh’s fifth Major appearance of his career and the 35-year-old intends to maintain his proud streak of playing in all four rounds on every occasion.

“The US Open was some experience. It was the toughest major I have ever played in my life. It was a true test of patience. I just hung in there and the greens were so tough, even tougher than Augusta National,” said Singh.

After a relatively quiet start to the year, Singh feels he is finally hitting into stride, with three top-20s recently boosting his confidence ahead of the year’s third Major.

He said those performances were just the tonic needed ahead of Carnoustie, which last hosted the British Open in 1999 that saw local hero Paul Lawrie of Scotland winning a play-off after finishing 72 holes in six-over-par 290.

“I’m feeling good. I’ve just had to deal with a few minor injuries. I’m looking forward to the Open, I’ve never played in that before so I’m excited. I have played at Carnoustie at the Dunhill Links previously and I enjoyed the course.

“The rough wasn’t up then but for the Open, it’ll certainly be up. It’ll be a great test of golf,” he said.

The Indian has made regular visits to the physio unit on Tour to deal with niggling problems with his neck and hand but taking a forced break has never crossed his mind, especially for a man who had played in 40 weeks last year.

Singh’s immediate goal is to battle his way back into the world’s top-50 where after starting the season in 37th place, he has slipped down by 20 rungs. “I have a busy run until the US PGA Championship next month which means nine weeks in a row for me,” said Singh, whose British Open appearance will be his fifth straight event.

“You do get injured but these are all big tournaments now … I haven’t thought about taking a rest!

“The good thing is that I feel I’m playing well again. The injuries have kept me from practising harder and while expectations have been higher after last year’s success, I’m just going out there with the intention to just play golf.

“I’ve got the experience and it’ll be just a matter of going out there and enjoying every moment and see what comes my way,” said Singh.

July 13, 2007