Randhawa, Jeev to tee off in European Open

County Kildare, Ireland, July 4 (UNI) The Indian duo of Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh will spearhead the country's challenge in the European Open here when the event with a record prize fund of 2.4 million pound tees off on Thursday.

World number four Retief Goosen leads a strong cast at the K Club and he will be joined in Thursday's first round by former US Open champion Michael Campbell, eight-times European number one Colin Montgomerie and twice former winner Lee Westwood.

Though Randhawa is still the highest ranked Indian golfer, Jeev has been a revelation of late.

After a seven-year title-drought and a wrist injury sowing the seed of doubt in his mind, Jeev finally returned to winning ways in April when he lifted the Volvo China Open trophy.

''I just went in there 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,'' said Jeev on his Volvo success.

''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. And after that, you don't think right. I started working hard and the wrist became better and things started looking better for me.

''This is a game that you have to try on every single shot. If you give up, you have no chance,'' he explained.

While the Asian Tour takes its traditional summer break till mid-August, Jeev is sitting comfortably atop the UBS Order of Merit with earnings of 441,758 dollar. He also became the 10th player to join the million-dollar club in career earnings in the region with a haul of 1.06 million dollar.

''I want to win our Order of Merit. I'm going to play in several more big events on the Asian Tour and hopefully, I'll do enough,'' asserted the Indian.

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