Statement on the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup
By V.Krishnaswamy, @Swinging_Swamy
New Delhi, March 25: Indian golf legend, Jeev Milkha Singh has seen some tough days in his golfing career.
A series of runner-up finishes, loss of form, injury and so on. Yet, he has always stayed positive. He has always managed to find something to get by the tough days.
It is the same right now as the whole country is being advised to stay indoors in the times of COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is like a test, this time not just for me or golfers, but the whole country and mankind. We need to be disciplined, stay indoors and keep safe. That will help everyone stay safe,” said Jeev while elaborating on the risks of the virus.
“The doctors say this virus spreads from person to person, so we need to practice Social Distancing and stay indoors. I am taking this (staying indoors) also in my stride. This is not in our control,” said Jeev. “Maybe this is a time to bond with my family, parents (Olympic legend Milkha Singh and Nirmal Milkha Singh) and kids. It also gives me quality time with my parents.”
He is however not allowing the break to halt his fitness routines. “I am doing Yoga, some swing drills, etc but all indoors.”
Jeev and his wife, Kudrat, have a couple of dogs, too. “They are amazing. They just love the fact that I am at home and all of us around with them.”
His son, Harjai, is also being made to participate in scrabble games. Jeev laughs and adds, “The dogs, too, want to play. So they often get on top of the scrabble box and seem to ask if they can join in. It is great fun inside the house, even though things are grim outside.”
Jeev, who has been decorated with the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award, would love nothing more than going to an Olympic Games, which has now been postponed for a year.
He said: “My father did so well (came fourth in 400m) in 1960, and I wish I could go too, but my current form does not give me a chance. But hopefully if I can find my form soon – though the game seems fine on the range – who knows what can happen.”
He added: “The tough times have even led to postponement of Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, my favourite country, where I spent about six to seven years playing on Japan Tour.”
Back in 2006, Jeev was in a situation, where he had not won on any international Tour since 1999. Then he ended the drought at the Volvo China Open and went on to win four times, including twice on Japan Tour.
He ended the year as Asian Tour number one and that saw him become the first Indian to tee up at the Augusta National Golf Club for the 2007 Masters.
Two years later in 2008, he did the same again – won four times including twice in Japan. And again he won the Asian Tour Order of Merit and is the only Indian to claim that honours twice.
“If there is one thing I learnt from my Dad, it was to never give up. That stays with me. And yes, in golf, one can play for as long as you wish. My Dad, now in his 80s, still plays regularly and is fit as a fiddle,” added Singh proudly.
Finally, he said form his home in Chandigarh: “My goal is to get to the Champions Tour.” That will be when he turns 50 and that will happen in about 18 months. “I need to stay fit, physically and mentally. There is still lots of golf to come.”
Ends.
Sentosa, Singapore, March 20: The coming months will be awkward as the daily rituals of all players have been thrown into a disarray with the global COVID-19 outbreak disrupting the normalcy of life.
While golf fans are left reeling from the unexpected dearth of action from the fairways, players are also making lifestyle adjustments as their sporting world grinds to an abrupt halt.
When it used to be a day out, navigating the tapestry of the golf course, battling the elements and fellow rivals, it is now turning out to be a fight against a deadly virus which is curtailing their golfing ambitions.
As many now embrace the sobering reality that it will be a while before they step back to the tee, golf, as with life, still has to go on albeit some adjustments.
With the Philippines in lockdown, Miguel Tabeuna, is keeping himself sharp while entertaining himself with playful golf trickeries in the comforts of his home.
“Life still goes on and it can actually be fun recreating my golfing experience in the comforts of my home,” said Tabuena, a two-time Asian Tour winner.
? @migueltabuena
• • • • • •
If only trees were this helpful on the course ⛳#stayhome #staywell #coronabreak pic.twitter.com/HAfXardZeV— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) March 20, 2020
For Australia’s Scott Hend, the 10-time Asian Tour winner prefers to stay ahead of the game by keeping himself in tip-top shape when the season eventually resumes.
“It’s going to be a jammed packed end of year if we get to play so I plan to hit the gym and try to gain and put on some muscle. It’s better be fit and strong ready to go,” said Hend, one of the most well-travelled golfers from Australia.
HONG KONG- The Hong Kong Open at the Fanling Golf Club, Fanling, Hong Kong, the Asian Tour USD$ 1 million season opener event, January 9-12, 2020. Picture by Paul Lakatos / Asian Tour.
As true professionals, golfers are tuned to believe in hopeful outcomes.
And when this all blows over, Hend knows he is ready to take on the very best players from the world again.
“I know the guys on the PGA TOUR aren’t that much better than me. It’s just a matter of getting the breaks and taking advantage of those when they come around. There can only be so many guys on that Tour at one time. So sometimes, you just need to have some patience,” said Hend, the first ever Australian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2016.
From hitting the gym to recreating their own golf sanctuary at home, American Berry Henson, who won the 2011 Philippines Open, is attempting to create his own live talk show over social media so as to combat the tedium of spending his days stuck at home and ‘keeping the positive vibes going’.
“It’s something new which I’m trying to create. We’re going through some tough times at the moment and I just hope the golfing community can come together and share our knowledge, experience and basically enjoying each other company online. When you put everyone together in the same place, trying to overcome the problem together, the world will be a better place,” said Henson.
Hey guys. Started a live feed couple days ago and today was the second day. It morphed into “Coffee with the Hensonator” and I had @pughdog1 join the feed. (Professional European Tour Caddie for jayvee_101 ) Will see… https://t.co/sqzVWsjnQS
— Berry Henson (@BerryHenson) March 20, 2020
Sentosa, Singapore, March 18: The COVID-19 virus pandemic may have left a void and starved many of their golfing action on the fairways. But while waiting for the season and normalcy to resume, we look back at some of the best quotes heard so far this season.
“Scott (Vincent) and I grew up together and I have heard a lot of good things from him about the Asian Tour. I have been trying to get on the Asian Tour for three times now. It’s my third time so I hope to be third time lucky!” Zimbabwean Benjamin Follett-smith finally got what he wished as he secured his Tour card in his third attempt by topping the class at Qualifying School.
HONG KONG- The Hong Kong Open at the Fanling Golf Club, Fanling, Hong Kong, the Asian Tour USD$ 1 million season opener event, January 9-12, 2020. Picture by Paul Lakatos / Asian Tour.
“There are three things which we don’t want to be doing on the golf course, panic, don’t panic and don’t panic.” – World number 16 Tony Finau on his mantra to his rise on the world stage ahead of the Hong Kong Open where he finished in fifth place.
“I’m awfully proud of being able to bounce back from adversity and being able to not let hard things get the best of me.” – American Matt Kuchar on his mental fortitude as he overcame a calamitous triple-bogey on the seventh hole by charging back with three birdies in his back-nine to win the SMBC Singapore Open.
“I’ve never been to a golf tournament where I’m always taking out my phone to take pictures. But I’m doing it all the time here.” – Joohyung Kim in awe of the majestic views the New Zealand Open had to offer.
“It’s just amazing where I am right now.” – Trevor Simsby on his breakthrough after winning the Bandar Malaysia Open which made its return to the Asian Tour schedule after a four-year hiatus.
Ends.
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