Shiv Kapur hopes for an encore in Volvo Masters of Asia

New Delhi, Dec 3 (UNI) It was a fairytale ending to a dream rookie season and a star was born when Shiv Kapur lifted the title last year. No more a greenhorn of the greens and armed with a vastly improved short game, the defending champion heads to Thailand later this week hoping for an encore at the Volvo Masters of Asia.

Shiv is particularly buoyant after his short game saw him finish on top of putting average (26.2) in the European Tour, along with John Bickerton.

In an interview with UNI before leaving for Thailand, Shiv said driving would be key in the narrow Thai Country Club but putting has to be spot on in order to lay fingers on the title on December 17.

''The course is narrow so you have to drive well. But to win a tournament or even to stay at the top, you have to putt really well.

You just can't win if your putter lets you down. I'm happy with my short game and feeling confident after topping the putting average in European Tour.

''If I can post near 20-under there, I think I stand good chance there,'' he explained.

''My confidence comes from my putting. There was some inconsistency at a stage but things keep fluctuating and I think I have overcome the issue. Statistics also suggest the same. I just need to keep the momentum going for four days to finish at top,'' Shiv said.

Shiv had a wonderful season this year, which saw him qualifying for his maiden major at the British Open, besides six top-20 finishes.

With a field that boasts of in-form Indian duo of Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa, besides Thai stalwart Thongchai Jaidee, finishing at top won't be a cakewalk in Thailand and Shiv knows it just too well.

''Of course it won't be a stroll in the park. Going by current form, Jeev would be the overwhelming favourite there. I mean he is playing awesome golf. Winning three titles on three different Tours in the same year is not a matter of joke. And then Jyoti is also going through a purple patch. Let's see if I can give these old guys a good run for the money,'' he quipped.

''Jokes apart, these guys have been great inspiration for me. I played with Jeev earlier this year and now I'm looking forward for the same again. And Gaurav Ghei will also be in the hunt and mind you he has won in Taiwan.

''With so many Indians there, I just pray we finish on top there,'' he said.

Recalling his triumph last year, which eventually saw him being adjudged Asian Tour Rookie of the Year, Shiv said, ''Last time, I guess it a combination of factors that helped me win the title.

Patience, positive thinking and peaking at the right time made it possible.'' Leaving no stone unturned in his preparation, Shiv is a regular at the gym these days.

''I've become quite fitness freak and frequenting the gym. You are playing 40 weeks of golf a year and that involved lot of travelling. So I'm trying to be at the peak of my fitness. After all, mental sharpness comes from physical fitness,'' he explained.

UNI AY DH BS1311