Sentosa, Singapore April 6: Comeback stories are riveting as they revive the forgotten man. Tiger Woods may have penned his at The Masters last year, but closer to the region, our players also have their own inspirational stories to tell.

Here are five of the best stories that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit in no particular chronological order.

Lu Wei-Chih (2016 Mercuries Taiwan Masters)

There were times after his brain surgery in 2012 when Lu Wei-chih feared his career would be over. He doubted whether he would ever be able to finish a round of golf again, let alone see his name atop the leaderboard.

Against all odds, the fighter from Chinese Taipei shot a two-under-par 70 to win the tournament for the third time in his career with a five-under-par 283 total at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

“I wasn’t quite sure how much longer I would last [playing],” revealed Lu. “I pretty much lost all my confidence and trust because I had no power and I didn’t think I could play anymore.”

But played on he did as he fought back from two bogeys in his opening six holes by firing six birdies against two bogeys to win the Mercuries Taiwan Masters for the third time.

“After the surgery I took things slowly. I started step-by-step. Can you imagine, after the surgery, the doctor said I couldn’t even sneeze! So I took things slow. I started by hitting 100 balls and after that, I blanked out. It was so tiring. At that time, I thought I couldn’t play golf anymore.

“But my family pushed me. My wife, my father and my mother kept pushing me and kept motivating me to keep fighting. I’m here today because of them. The victory is for them as well. I’m blessed to have them in my life,” said Lu during his victory speech.

Rahil Gangjee (2018: Panasonic Open Golf Championship)

14 years. That was how long it took Rahil Gangjee to clinch his second Asian Tour title again.

The Indian said, ‘When you do not deliver after so many times, you start to doubt yourself’ but throughout those barren years, his attitude towards his craft was unwavering and he was definitely not ready to say his last goodbye to the sport.

Pressure does not care about form as Gangjee will tell you his ‘heart rate was up’ and ‘his mind was going all over the place’ and it was his sheer will power that brought him back into the winner’s circle when he closed with a three-under-par 68 for a one-shot victory over Korea’s Hyungsung Kim and Junggon Hwang at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship.

Despite the immense pressure on 18, Gangjee managed to hit his bunker shot out to within 10 feet of the pin.

He would go on to sink that decisive birdie and win his second Asian Tour title with his four-day total of 14-under-par 270.

Danny Chia (2015 Mercuries Taiwan Masters)

There was pressure and Danny Chia was obviously very nervous.

The Malaysian said: “I was really nervous heading into the last five holes. I told myself not to think too much but I just can’t help it. My hands were shaking and I was a little flustered on the back nine.”

With the chance to end his 13-year title drought on the line, Chia started strongly by firing three birdies in his opening five holes to wipe out his one-shot overnight deficit and take over the lead.

But he said nerves nearly wrecked havoc on his game after he made his first bogey of the day on the 11th hole. He went on to drop another three shots on 15, 16 and 17.

He remained in that prime spot till he sealed the deal with a tap-in par save on the 18th hole for a winning total of three-under-par 285 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Danny was overcome with emotion with the win.

“It’s been a long while, really. I couldn’t sleep last night. I thought of my win 13 years ago. This win is a great boost of confidence for me, especially having stayed away from competitive golf for close to one year after my neck surgery in 2013.

“I’m glad I held up my mental game this week,” said Chia.

David Gleeson (2008 Macau Open)

It was a tournament which David Gleeson badly wanted to win ‘by as many shots as possible’. And after six years from golf wilderness, the Australian made his return with his wire-to-wire success at the Macau Open in 2008.

Victory at the Macau Golf and Country Club was his first since 2002 and Gleeson showed that resolve when he nailed his second straight two-under-par 69 in the final round to win by three shots over Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang.

Lin signed for a 66 to claim second place while compatriot Kao Bo-song was even-par for the day and finished in lone third spot.

But it was Gleeson who fended off a strong charge from the Chinese Taipei duo of Lin and Kao to taste success for the second time on the Asian Tour.

“I told my caddie (Sanker Ganesan) at the start of the tournament that I wanted to win this week by as many shots as possible. I also told myself that if I don’t go for it, I won’t have a chance so I’m happy that I went for it this week,” said Gleeson.

He started the day with a drop shot on the opening hole and was level with Kao Bo-song who had birdied the second hole.

But Gleeson bounced back with five birdies against two bogeys before leaving the ball within a foot away from the cup for the win.

“I reached the little goals that I had set all day which proved to be the key. On the 18th hole, I just had to avoid the water and I knew I had it once the ball landed on the green,” said Gleeson, who two-putted for par and the win.

“I remember the time with my coach (Ken Berndt) who asked me how I am going to react after finishing a hole well. I replied that I wasn’t sure. I was more worried about what my friends would do to me in celebration and that’s exactly what happened today,” added the champion.

Daniel Chopra (2001 Mercuries Taiwan Masters)

Broke but not broken. Armed with only his desire to live out his golfing dreams of being the best he can be. Daniel Chopra was seeking a lifeline to revive his professional career.

Chopra went through the grind of Asian Tour and then moved to the European Challenge Tour before making it to the European Tour in 1995. He played in Europe between 1996 and 2000 and even came second in the Czech Open in 1996 and third at Madeira Open once.

But then form deserted him and he lost his card in Europe and, at one stage in 2001, was without a card on any Tour.

“I was keeping my card but I was treading water. To try to get ahead he decided to play the Japanese Tour as well in 2000. I succeeded in losing my card on both. Basically, I was suddenly almost broke with nowhere to play,” said Chopra.

Chopra was weeks, probably days, away from planning a shift to becoming a teaching professional.

Virtually down and out, help would eventually come from friendship with India’s Jeev Milkha Singh.

Singh not only help Chopra tide through the rough patch with a $5,000 loan but also put in word for him for a sponsor’s spot into the Acer Taiwan Open when he finished top-10.

The stunning comeback would be completed for the Indian-born Swede the following week at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters when he played the final round of his life with some amazing shots and won the event to turn his life around.

‘To win I had to two-putt from the back fringe straight down one of the grainiest greens in Asia. I thought my first putt was perfect and it trickled, trickled, trickled until it was maybe 18 inches from the hole.

“As I put my marker down I thought, “My God, what if you miss this?” And I never forget saying to myself, “One, my grandma could make this putt with one hand, and two, I could make this with one hand and never ever miss,” said Chopra to the media then.

Ends.

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.

By V Krishnaswamy, @Swinging_Swamy

New Delhi, March 20: Rashid Khan, India’s top world-ranked player nurses hopes of teeing up at the Olympic Games later this year, but is realistic enough to feel that there is nothing he can do currently except to wait for Covid-19 to subside.

He laughs and says, “I am busy with PS4, fitness through martial arts (I follow Billy Blanks on YouTube) and then there is my nephew, who is just 15 months. This takes up a good part of my day.”

Sure he does miss going out to play at the course or competing at events, but admits, “That is not in our hands. Golf is not like other games, but the key is to stay strong mentally and to stay fit. That’s what I am doing. Anyway I have not been the kind to practice on the course each and every day.”

The lanky Indian is also keeping in mind the Olympics. “No one is sure about the situation, but I am keeping myself mentally ready for the Olympics and the events in the run up,” said Rashid

On how he is keeping fit, he added, “Billy Blanks is good. What he does is called, Tae Bo and it is a total martial art technique and helps total body fitness with martial arts. He has thousands of followers from all over.”

As for staying strong mentally, he adds, “There is nothing more relaxing than playing with my 15-month old and he is delight. I love that time. When I am on Tour, I have no time for these things, so might as well make the most of it now.”

Khan, whose last event was the Bandar Malaysia Open, where he finished tied-31st, has played three events in 2020 on Asian Tour and has two top-10s – sixth in Hong Kong and tied-eighth in Singapore Open, both having been held in January.

“I feel the Asian Tour was absolutely right in cancelling or postponing many events and the Tour has been giving us the information on that,” he said, “The safety and health of the players cannot be compromised and we need to be aware of the current situation.”

Ends.