NEW DELHI: The Singapore Open triumph underlined Jeev Milkha Singh's growing stature as a world class player and the seasoned Indian is good enough to win Major tournaments, according to Asian Tour authorities.
Heaping praise on the Indian for his mind-boggling success this season, Asian Tour's Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said Jeev's success story would inspire the youth in the continent and he tipped the Indian to corner greater glory in times to come.
"The victory (in Singapore) cemented Jeev's stature as a truly world-class player and the manner in which he won at Sentosa underlined his growing credentials in the world of golf," Han said.
"Over the years, Jeev has been a wonderful ambassador for the Asian Tour, winning titles in Europe and Japan this year as well. Through the Asian Tour, Jeev has grown to become a terrific player and I am convinced he will go on to win many other big championships and also contend and win Major events in the years to come," he added.
Jeev produced an impressive one-stroke victory over multiple Major winners Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els at Sentosa Golf Club to seal his third victory of the season globally and virtually clinched the Asian Tour's Order of Merit title for the second time in three years.
Jeev also became the first player in the Asian Tour's history to earn over USD one million in a single season, which Han said reflected the continued expansion of the game across the region.
The Chandigarh golfer raised his season's earnings to an unprecedented USD 1.4 million, bettering Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee as the leader of the career earnings in Asia, taking his tally to USD 2.45 million.
"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Jeev as our first million-dollar man in a single season on the Asian Tour. Part of our mission is to create greater playing opportunities for our members and through this historic landmark, it reinforces the strength of the game in Asia.
"I am convinced that Jeev's success will inspire other young players across Asia to emulate his success," said Han.
