With worst behind him, Jeev Milkha Singh geared up for new heights

Tokyo, June 30 (UNI) Driven by sheer determination, UBS Order of Merit leader Jeev Milkha Singh says he has left the worst phase of his career -- when injuries and lack of form left him without a win for seven years -- behind him and has regained his self-belief to perform under pressure.

''When I was injured, I didn't know if I was going to come back in the sport. When I came back I wasn't thinking the same way. I was struggling, I was putting pressure on myself and I was getting down,'' the Volvo China Open winner said here.

''After that, you don't think right. There have been tournaments that I would have liked to win and lose. May be instead of focussing on my routine, I focussed on winning which was wrong,'' he added, recalling the phase when a wrist injury threatened to end his career pre-maturely.

After seven years of a title drought and struggle to regain the old touch, Singh finally returned to lift the Volvo China Open trophy in April this year.

''I just went in there (the final round) with reverse psychology thinking that if it doesn't happen, never mind. I just wanted to give it my best shot. And it worked out perfect for me,'' Jeev said on his return.

''This is a game that you have to try on every single shot. If you give up, you have no chance.'' The seasoned pro, who is here for the Japan Golf Tour Championship, said he wanted to end the season at the top of the UBS Order of Merit list.

''I want to win our Order of Merit,'' he said.

Jeev currently has earnings of 441,758 dollars and is the 10th player to join the million-dollar club in career earnings in the Asian region.

''I'm going to play in several more big events on the Asian Tour and hopefully, I'll do enough,'' he added.

Jeev said the self-belief, which he lost during the bad times, was soaring after the Volvo triumph and was one of the main reasons for his good show in this season but admitted that the room for improvement was always there.

''I've got a lot of trust after winning the Volvo China Open. I now trust my game under pressure and I believe in myself. That's taken me ahead. There is self belief. I've worked quite hard although there could be a lot more improvements,'' he said.

UNI XC PM MA PC1250