Jeev sets European Tour putting record

Our Correspondent

On course to his exhilarating sixth place finish in the recently-concluded Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, India's Jeev Milkha Singh etched his names in the record books of the European PGA Tour.

During the million-pound tournament, which was won by Thomas Bjorn of Denmark after a spectacular blowout by world No 1 Tiger Woods on the final hole, Jeev set a new putting record when he completed his four rounds in just 94 putts, an average of 23.5 per round. The Chandigarh-based pro also holds the Asian record of lowest four-round aggregate when he shot a 26-under 262 during his 1996 Philip Morris Asia Cup triumph in Korea.

That bettered the previous record set by Russell Claydon of England during the 2000 Italian Open at Is Molas in Sardinia. Claydon needed 96 putts to complete his round.

The Indian ace finished at 17-under with rounds of 67, 66, 67 and 71. He completed his first round with 25 putts, needed just 22 and 21 on the second and third day respectively and had 26 putts in his final round. The performance helped him move to No 4 in the European Tour list of Average Putts per Round at 28 putts per round. Tom Gillis of the USA leads the list at 27.6 putts per round.

The effort fell one shot of the world record of 93 putts Kenny Knox during the 1989 Sea Pines Heritage Classic. Infact, of the eight lowest recorded totals, 93, 94 and 95 were also recorded in that event at Harbour Town Links. The main reason being that the course has some of the smallest greens on the PGA Tour.

Jeev, who was in Delhi for a day en route to Japan, was ecstatic about the achievement. "I came to know about the record only after I completed the round and the European PGA Tour staff started congratulating me. They first told me that I had bettered the legendary Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros's record of 99 putts. Getting better of Seve, especially in short game, is like a dream," said the 29-year-old.

However, the modest Indian downplayed the record. "The fact is that I did not get too many greens in regulation. But my chipping and putting were solid during the four days which helped me make several up-and-downs. However, a record is a record and I am happy to have my name against it," added Jeev.

"The wrist injury which kept me out for most of last season did one good thing. Putting was the only thing I could practice when my wrist was in a cast. And it has definitely become much better this season," said Jeev.

The Dubai Desert Classic, which boasted one of the strongest fields ever on European Tour, turned out to be a milestone tournament in Jeev's career. He achieved his fourth best finish on the European PGA Tour, and also retained his card for the rest of the season. Jeev was playing on medical exemption and needed to make 55,000 euros in 11 starts. However, he is now placed 25th in the Order of Merit after 85,399 euros in just seven starts.

Jeev will now concentrate his efforts on the lucrative Japanese Tour. "The first goal of the season has been achieved and I am now looking forward to a top-10 finish in Japanese Tour Order of Merit which will give me a direct entry into the final stage of the US PGA Tour Qualifying School.

"I would also like to win one title in Japan and Europe this season," said Jeev who is sponsored by Hero Honda Motors and India.com.