New Delhi, Apr 16: Indian golfer Jyoti Randhawa believes he is on the right track to return to his winning ways after coming close at the USD 2.5 million Maybank Malaysian Open over the weekend.

Randhawa, who became India's first Asian Tour number one after claiming the coveted Order of Merit crown in 2002, stayed in the title hunt at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club before two errors on the back nine saw him settle for tied 11th place alongside countryman Jeev Milkha Singh and South Africa's Jbe Kruger yesterday.

He picked up USD 40,850 for his efforts which pushed him up to 24th place on the Merit list, which Kruger continues to lead with USD 437,519.

"All in all, I'm feeling good. I just need to give it a little bit more time. I guess I'm on the right track. After this week, I'm feeling even more confident. I'm looking forward to the rest of the year," said Randhawa.

As he approaches his 40th birthday next month, Randhawa knows he faces a tough challenge in his hope to win a ninth career Asian Tour victory with many emerging young stars making a name for themselves across the region.

Randhawa, who enjoys skydiving, shooting and adventure sports outside the ropes, found inspiration in brother-in-law Digvijay Singh, who won his first win on Tour at the Panasonic Open India last month at the age of 40.

"That was a big thing. After so many years, you see guys plugging away and winning and it gives me inspiration to keep at it. Things will turn around and I'm waiting for it," said Randhawa, whose last victory was the 2009 Thailand Open.

"It has been a while since I came into a competition under stress (pressure). I hope I can hang in there and not do the bad swings in future. I feel very nice that it is all coming together. I just had two bad swings, so I'm feeling positive," he added.

The Asian Tour heads to Jakarta this week for the USD 750,000 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS where England's world number three Lee Westwood is defending his title.

Randhawa is hoping to put up another strong challenge at Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

"It is a great golf course. I think it is a ball-strikers' course and the greens are fast. You've got to hit the ball long, so I'm looking forward to it," he said.

PTI