By Rahul Banerji
India’s trail-blazing golf professional Jeev Milkha Singh has been smoking hot over the first two days of the $400,000 Panasonic Open India at the Delhi Golf Club.
On Thursday, he carded a three-under par 69, his best of the year.
Jeev then went one better on Friday with a four-under round. Additionally, it was bogey-free which made for another first-time in the season.
Jeev currently sits in shared sixth place on seven-under par 137, four shots behind leaders Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh and Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai who are on 11-under 133s.
Speaking to the media later, Jeev felt he was finally able to bring shots to the course that he had regularly been playing on the range.
“For the past three years, I have been hitting beautiful shots on the range but something was just missing out there,” he said after Friday’s round.
“Playing on the course has helped. I made the most out of it today.”
Excerpts from his media interaction:
“I had a bogey-free round today. Havd made only one bogey in 36 holes so far. On this golf course, I’ll take this on any given day.
“Played really well. I drove the ball well. Everything was good. I had a lot of opportunities for birdies. You have got to take what comes your way.
Patient golf
“I was patient and I managed to hole a few putts coming in. I started from the back nine, made on birdie on the 17th where I holed a 10-footer.
“Made the turn at one-under and birdie the fourth hole from about 20 feet.
“On the seventh hole, I hit a good seven-iron shot to about 15 feet and hole that as well. Went on the birdie the eighth after chipping to about six feet and made that putt.
“Bogey-free 68, I am very pleased with myself.
Good focus
“My focus was good out there. I was very positive on the golf course as well. It’s very important to be positive, especially on this golf course.
“You got to stick to your routine as well and not get ahead of yourself.
“I left a few putts out there but that’s golf. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t. I made a good five-footer for putt on the fifth hole as well.
“I haven’t been hitting a lot of golf balls recently to be honest. I have been playing a lot at home in Chandigarh.
Fine on range
“Have been playing a lot of 18 holes back home. I thought I hit it just fine on the range. Why can’t I take that on to the golf course? So I just kept playing.
“For the last month and a half, I think the maximum practice I have done is the last two days!
“I hit about 50 balls each time. Otherwise at home, I just hit like 20 to 30 balls to warm up before heading out to play. I see shots better on the golf course now.
“For the past three years, I have been hitting beautiful shots on the range but something was just missing out there.
“Playing on the course has helped. I made the most out of it today. Imagination on the course has become better for me.
See the shot, hit it
“The good part is that you see a shot there and you are able to hit it on the golf course. Playing in Chandigarh has helped me because I have played a lot of slices, hooks and low shots.
“I was hitting them on the range but I couldn’t hit them on the golf course before. Now I’m pulling them off on the course so that has given me a lot of confidence.
“I am looking forward to host my own event next week. Not only am I playing, I also have to take care of the players.
“It’s going to be a fun week. I think everyone is going to enjoy it. The course is in an excellent condition as well.
Also read: Professional golf is a tough and unforgiving world, says Jeev
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