'Millionaire' Singh draws Asian praise

Source: Agencies  |   2008-11-18  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

JEEV Milkha Singh's newly-acquired "Million Dollar Man" status will inspire a raft of young golfers throughout Asia, the sport's regional tour chief said yesterday.

"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Jeev as our first million-dollar man in a single season on the Asian Tour," the tour's Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said in a statement.

"Part of our mission is to create greater playing opportunities for our members and through this historic landmark, it reinforces the strength of the game in Asia.

"I am convinced that Jeev's success will inspire other young players across Asia to emulate his success."

Singh won a nail-biting Singapore Open title on Sunday after Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els had come agonizingly close to taking the US$5 million Asian Tour event to a playoff.

The Indian virtually sealed the Asian order of merit title, for the second time in three years.

First prize at the Singapore Open was worth US$792,500, raising Singh's season total to US$1.4 million. That's US$655,000 ahead of second-place Mark Brown of New Zealand, who missed the cut in Singapore.

There are four individual events left on the Asian Tour's 2008 schedule, including this week's Hong Kong Open.

Singh, 36, turned pro in 1993. Before this season, his total career earnings were US$1.35 million, including US$591,000 while winning the 2006 Order of Merit.

Meanwhile, former two-time major winner John Daly has entered next week's Australian Masters, organizers said yesterday.

The 1991 US PGA and 1995 British Open champion has agreed to play the co-sanctioned tournament in Melbourne after recently saying he wanted to play more European Tour events next season.

"I am looking forward to coming back to Australia," Daly said in a statement released by event organizers.

"I've always enjoyed my trips there and I'm looking forward to competing at the Australian Masters at Huntingdale."