File photo of Jeev Milkha SIngh. Image courtesy PTGI.
By Rahul Banerji
With the Ryder Cup on in full swing in Paris, it is difficult to shift focus, but the name Jeev Milkha Singh is good enough reason to do that.
India’s path-breaker on the international professional golf circuit will host the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational presented by Take Solutions, at the Chandigarh Golf Club from November 1 to 4.
The main event will be preceded by the Pro-Am on October 31.
The tournament, in its third edition, has been renamed from the ‘Take Open Golf Championship’ to the ‘Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational presented by Take Solutions’.
Big money
The event at Jeev’s home course offers Rs. 1.5 crore in prize money, the highest-ever for an event in Chandigarh.
This is the first time that a PGTI event has been named after an Indian pro golfer.
Jeev has ventured into uncharted territory over the two decades after tasting success at the international level.
Since then he has added many more firsts and Indian records to his name.
Jeev is the only Indian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit twice (2006 and 2008). He has won multiple titles on the European Tour, the Japan Tour and Asian Tour and has 14 major appearances to his name.
Jeev has also achieved a career-high world ranking of 28, an Indian record.
Excited host
Said Jeev, “There were three things that I am excited about. Firstly, the tournament is to be played in my home town Chandigarh, the city where I grew up.
“Secondly, it will be played at my home course Chandigarh Golf Club, the place where I learnt my golf. Lastly, it is one of the biggest tournaments on the PGTI in terms of prize money.
“I have played tournaments in the United States which have been named after legends such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. I feel it is the ultimate honour for a sportsperson to have a tournament in his name.
‘Good time’
“Hopefully, as a host I can get a good field at the event and give the players a good time and make sure everybody is looked after and the players enjoy the course and the city.
“I’m also looking forward to bringing out my best on the golf course and having a good outing in front of my home crowd.”
Added PGTI chief executive Uttam Singh Mundy, “We are proud to launch the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational presented by Take Solutions.
“The tournament is a true recognition of Jeev’s extraordinary accomplishments at the global stage which have helped elevate the status of Indian golf and inspired many others to follow in his footsteps.
“The Chandigarh Golf Club provides the ideal setting for the tournament as it is the place where Jeev began his golfing life and gave shape to his dreams.
“We look forward to developing this event into one of the biggest attractions on the PGTI calendar in the years to come.”
Also read: Jeev is top draw for inaugural QA InfoTech Open
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