Jeev has set a new benchmark for us, says Randhawa

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) When he lifted the Volvo Masters title in distant Spain yesterday, Jeev Milkha Singh not only added yet another title to an already overflowing cupboard but also pushed Indian golf to its next level, according to peer and ''good friend'' Jyoti Randhawa.

Talking to UNI after Jeev silenced the top European guns like Europe's Ryder Cup stars Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald to claim his second title of the year at Valderrama, Randhawa said it marked a watershed in Indian golf.

''It's a huge achievement and would have a spiralling impact on Indian golf. To win in European Tour and that too beating a star-studded field is not a matter of joke. This would go a long way in boosting the game, which already is coming up in a big way,'' he explained.

''He is a good friend of mine and I sent him a message last night. And after I won the Indian Open, he congratulated me,'' said Randhawa, who last played with Jeev in the Singapore Open.

Asked how he and fellow pros see Jeev's triumph, Randhawa had no doubt that the Indian golfers now have a new standard to emulate.

''He has set the mark for us and that's great. I mean, whenever you see a compatriot achieving something, you aspire to better him and Jeev did just that.

''Take the case of (Arjun) Atwal. He has been playing in the US PGA Tour and that was another benchmark. I guess there is a healthy competition between the top Indian golfers and your game comes up whenever someone achieves things of this magnitude,' explained Randhawa, himself on a high after winning back-to-back titles in the Indian Open and BILT Open.

Plagued by a wrist injury, the turning point in Jeev's career came in April this year when the seasoned Indian ended a seven-year title drought winning the Volvo China Open.

''That must have been a huge boost for him. He had been working very hard on his game and the win gave him an idea of what it takes to triumph.

''Now that he has won this title, I guess he would be more confident and relaxed now,'' he added.

Playing simultaneously in the Asian Tour, European Tour and Japan Tour also helped Jeev adapt to different conditions, feels Randhawa.

''It's a hell lot of travelling if you are playing in all three tours. But I think it went well with Jeev and the experience of playing in diverse conditions came handy for him,'' he elaborated.

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