Asian Order of Merit will bring recognition: Jeev Milkha Singh

Jeev Milkha Singh, who added another feather in his cap by winning the Singapore Open, said the Asian Order of Merit title will help Indian golfers in getting recognition at the top level and boost the confidence of young players back home.

Jeev, who on Sunday put up a special performance at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore to claim the Singapore Open -- his third title of the year and sixth on the Asian Tour -- said the "golfing gods helped him in the crunch situation".

Asked that he was now assured of the Asian Order of Merit title, he said over phone, "It will make things easier for me
as I would get direct entries to many top tournaments and playing in big events will give confidence to me. It will also
help me in getting my rankings below 50 which at present is my main aim".

On the significance of the title, he said, "It will be another feather in the cap of Indian golfers, who have been doing well at the highest level. This will help us in getting recognition at the top level and will boost the confidence of young golfers back home".

On his stunning win at the Singapore Open which came playing against top players Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els, the 38-year-old Jeev who hails from Chandigarh said, "It was an excellent performance. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was really excited about playing against the world's top players and winning the tournament in the end is a great treat for me".

He, however, rates his performance at the 2006 Volvo Masters as his best. "Winning the title was not on my mind yesterday. I went into the final round with a positive mindset. I was looking to give my best and in the end I pulled it off," Jeev said, adding he can play a lot better than what he did on Sunday.

"I am looking forward to much better wins and performances in coming years," he said.

Jeev said he would now be flying out to Hong Kong to play there.

He is also looking forward to play in the World Cup Open in China this month and in the US Masters next year.

Jeev feels he and Jyoti Randhawa stand a good chance of winning the World Cup.