Noida: It was quite appropriate that Daniel Chopra, one of Jeev Milkha Singh’s oldest and best friends, should take the first round lead at the Shubhkamna Champions Tournament, an event hosted by Jeev Milkha Singh. The Rs, 60 lakh event got underway at the NOIDE Golf Club with some excellent scores and Chopra, who played a lot of golf in India in his younger days, took a two-shot lead over young Ajeetesh Sandhu (66) and Sri Lankan Anura Rohana (66).
Gaganjeet Bhullar, widely tipped as Jeev’s successor in Indian golf was fourth at 67, while Jyoti Randhawa, Shiv Kapur and Mukesh Kumar carded 68 each. Jeev Milkha himself carded 69 and was lying tied eighth with Anirban Lahiri and Abhijit Chadha. Arjun Atwal shot 70.
The first day of the unique event was Pro-Am with all Pros partnering corporates and amateurs. As Jeev, the tournament host said, “The real business is next two days, but the scores were great today and the conditions excellent. More than anything the response to this event is overwhelming and I want to take it to next level, maybe Asian Tour.”
Chopra, who has been in lead at various times over last two weeks in Thailand and Malaysia carried on as he had a brilliant round with eight birdies, an eagle and two bogeys.
“It was great. It was a fantastic. I played well, drove nicely, and putted nicely, despite missing two putts inside three feet. It could have been a really low round,” said Chopra, who was in top-10 last weeks and was in lead group on final day both times.
“With the shot gun start I can’t remember where the birdies came, but the eagle was, I think, on 17. I had a mix of long and short putts. I missed a two-footer for birdie on 11th and missed a three-footer for par on 18th. The key here is driving straight and putting well.”
On his love for Asia and India, he added, “I love India. I just need an excuse to take a long flight here. I keep thinking I have to leave on
Sunday night. I would love to make few more trips and golf gives me a good excuse to justify the long trip. It takes a few days to get into the Delhi rhythm. I don’t know where all I am going to play next year, but I want to do well in the starts I get on PGA and I want to win and get back to PGA.”
On his position in NOIDA, Chopra said, “It is still a long way to go. I have a good start and I am in position again like last two weeks. I need to continue and close it over two more days.”
Bhullar, who is having a great year, is back to NOIDA after six years. “I had a slow start, one-under for front nine. Then I picked up four birdies on back nine I gave a double bogey. I went into the trap and then I three-putted for a double bogey. But then I had a fine 15-footer for birdie to close at five-under,” said Bhullar.
“The last time I played here was six years. I was an amateur and I can’t remember how I did but the course has changed a lot. Here we need to find fairways, though it is a short course and you need to putt well.”
On his showing in 2012, he added, “I have a good year during which I was consistent. I am going to take a month off and then hopefully I will get a few starts on European Tour. I could go to South Africa if I get in. I want to do well as I have played a lot and gained mental maturity. I have played with big names like Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, KJ Choi, John Daly and so on. I played 34-35 weeks and I wanted to do that and learn more.”
The tournament host was ecstatic with the scores and the response the event has got. “I was playing with my sponsor and he has been gracious. It is being hosted by and it is the first time a tournament of this kind is happening in India. My sponsor was good to back it and I enjoyed playing with him. I hope the amateurs who played with us also enjoyed it.”
He added, “The good thing is I also played well and shot three-under par. There is going to be lot of good scores, so we need to putt well. The real business begins now in the next two rounds.”
Jeev’s father, the legendary Milkha Singh also played the Pro-Am. Jeev said, “It was nice of my Dad to come and play 18 holes. He is 82 years old. He had a great day and I am proud how fit he is.”
On the future, he added, “In the future I want to grow this event and hopefully into the Asian Tour.”
The Senior Milkha Singh said, “I am very happy that Shubhkamna is taking interest and promoting golf. I am glad they are different from other sponsors who only look at cricket. So this is great for golf and Indian sport. I would like them to take it to other cities, so that youngsters can take to golf,” said the senior Milkha Singh after playing 18 holes during the Pro-Am, which also formed the first round of the event. “My best wishes to the sponsors and the tournament.”
The second round will see Jeev go out with Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa, while Daniel Chopra plays with Anirban Lahiri and Gaganjeet Bhullar. The draw has been made to ensure greater interest for spectators and players have loved it.
By Indian Sports News Network