Singh revs up for Asia glory at Volvo Masters

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-18  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

HAVING already secured the Asian Tour Order of Merit title this year, India's Jeev Milkha Singh will be free of pressure in the tour's season-ending event, boosting his chances of success against a trio of hometown favorites.

The US$750,000 Volvo Masters of Asia begins today, with entry restricted to the top 65 players on the annual prize money list.

While the event is not the richest on the tour ?? Singh's victory of Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els at the Singapore Open was the key to him becoming the first player to top US$1 million in Asian Tour prize money ?? it is designated as the Tour's Premier Event so receives greater weighting toward world golf rankings than a normal Asian Tour event.

That makes it all the more important for two players ?? Prayad Marksaeng and Lin Wen-tang ?? who will use the event to try to qualify for next year's US Masters.

The winner will also be included in the field for the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Ohio next year.

Singh, 36, has won two of the past three Order of Merit titles, but unlike 2006 he will not have the pressure of needing to perform at Bangkok's Thai Country Club to clinch the crown.

"I will miss the South African Open which is my sponsor's event, but I want to be in Thailand to play the tournament and pick up the Order of Merit award at the gala dinner on the Sunday night," Singh said.

"I love the way the golf course sets up and I am keen to play there again. It will be fantastic to play the season-ending event on the Asian Tour, especially as the new Asian number one. The Tour means so much to me, it was where I started out."

Successive titles

Chief among Singh's challengers will be the Thai trio of Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marksaeng and Thaworn Wiratchant.