Jeev Milkha Singh back at happy hunting ground

Golf icon Jeev Milkha Singh has fond memories of the Volvo China Open, the event which gave him a second wind in his career 10 years ago.

Jeev, considered the standard-bearer of Indian golf, won the Volvo China Open in 2006 after remaining winless for a span of seven years. The title set him on the road to a fantastic year in 2006, when he won four times, including twice in Japan, and also won the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

He repeated his success in 2008, clinching four different crowns and took the Merit honours once again.

Along with Jeev at the event is S.S.P. Chawrasia, the only Indian winner on the European Tour this season.

Jeev, who no longer has full playing privileges on the European Tour, is eagerly looking ahead to the event and hopes to come up with a good show this week.

“It was a great week (in 2006) and it set me on the road to a superb period for the next few years.

“It is always great to come back to an event you have won and have such great memories. I hope that will spur me to another good showing,” said Jeev, who carded a two-under 70 in the first round playing along with Jens Fahrbring and Kim Daehyun

Chawrasia, who had a good start at the Shenzhen International last week before fizzling out over the weekend, is also eyeing an improved performance. He shot a three-under 69 on the first day.

“I played well but a couple of errors proved costly and I was unable to recover,” said Chawrasia, who is in line to make the cut off for the Olympic Games this year.

Chawrasia is the second Indian behind Anirban Lahiri and both are certain to make the list of 60 qualifiers as the sport makes a return to Olympic programme after 112 years.