I want to get back to top 50 by the end of the season: Jeev

New Delhi, Oct 9 (UNI) Ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh might have carded an average performance by his standards this year, but the stalwart of the greens is not disappointed and plans to end the season on a good note by breaking into top 50 in the world for the second time.

''My performance this year was average. I wanna end the year getting back to the top 50 and thats why I've become more result oriented,'' Jeev told reporters here ahead of Hero Honda Indian Open which tees off on Thursday.

''This year my putting hasn't been well. I scored a lot of birdies this year but they have been equally matched by high number of bogeys.

''I have made a few changes in my game and trying hard to improve my putting,'' he added.

Last year, Jeev became the first Indian to break into top 50 by securing the 50th position in the Order of Merit.

Surprisingly, Jeev, who has two European and four Asian tour titles to his credit, was yet to win the Indian Open, but this time he seemed pretty serious to add the trophy in his cupboard.

''I am returning back to the Indian Open after five years. I will love to add the trophy in my cupboard,'' he said.

He won the last year's Volvo China Open and Volvo Masters in the European circuit, while his four Asian tour titles include 1995 Philippine Classic and Asian Matchplay Championship, 1996 Philip Morris Asia Cup and 1999 Lexus International.

The Padmashree Awardee also said that the tournament will act as a precursor to the February-slated Indian Masters.

''It (the Indian Open) would be a very good warm up for me before the Masters. This is one of the reasons I have decided to play here,'' Jeev said.

He, however, was of the view that it would not be cakewalk for him here as the Hero Honda-sponsored tournament has a strong and competitive field with the likes of defending champion Jyoti Randhawa, Gaurav Ghei, Shiv Kapur, Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Mardan Mamat of Singapore, who are ever ready to spoil his party.

''India has got a contingent of Jyoti, Gaurav and Shiv.

Wiratchant and Mamat will be also be tough competitors to play against. Apart from them, some Thai boys and young kids who will be making their professional debut would be putting up their best show to steal the limelight.'' Interestingly, when the eligible bachelor was questioned about his marriage plans, he was candid in replying, ''I am still chasing the ball a bit too much.'' UNI