Jeev hopes to be on song in Singapore

Singapore, Sep 1 (UNI) Jeev Milkha Singh is altogether a different player since his Volvo China Open triumph and the seasoned Indian believes his new found confidence will see him through in next week's three million dollar Barclays Singapore Open here.

''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. I've worked quite hard although there could be a lot more improvements,'' said Jeev.

The Indian is strongly tipped to challenge for honours at the demanding Serapong course in his bid to win the Asian Tour number one title for the first time in his career. Since winning the Volvo China Open in April for his first triumph in seven years, the Indian stalwart has posted eight more top-10s in Asia, Japan and Europe and also qualified and played in all four rounds at the US Open in June.

In fact, the troika of Jeev, Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur will spearhead the Indian challenge in the tournament.

Other top names who will shoot for glory include Thai ace Thaworn Wiratchant, two-time Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, China's trailblazer Zhang Lian-wei, local hero Mardan Mamat and Korea's Charlie Wi.

No fewer than 18 players ranked inside the top-20 of the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit will head to the Barclays Singapore Open, which is Asia's richest national Open and billed the Major of Asia.

The elite field at Sentosa will also include 12 winners from this season's Asian Tour and six past and present Asian Tour number ones in the form of Thongchai, Thaworn, Randhawa, Kyi Hla Han of Myanmar, Lin Keng-chi of Chinese Taipei and Korea's Kang Wook-soon.

''As our flagship tournament, we are delighted to see that all our best players have signed up to compete in the Barclays Singapore Open,'' said Asian Tour Chief Executive Louis Martin.

''This is a Championship that all our players would like to win, not only for its lucrative prize pot on offer but also for the prestige of winning the Barclays Singapore Open which has been billed as the Major of Asia,' he added.

A total of nine players currently in the world's top-50 will head full speed to the Lion City in the race to pocket the 475,500 dollar top prize, one of the richest winner's cheque on offer in Asian golf.

Title holder Adam Scott of Australia, three-time major winner Ernie Els of South Africa, England's Lee Westwood, who was runner-up in Singapore last year, and 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand are amongst the big guns slated to play in Singapore.

UNI XC AY PDS PM1533