Asia close to major breakthrough, says Milkha Singh

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Akron (Ohio) Aug 1: India's Jeev Milkha Singh believes Asian golf is desperately close to producing its first major winner in the men's ranks.

Singh feels the continent has unprecedented depth in player strength and that a breakthrough at the highest level is simply a question of time.

''There is a lot of talent in Asia and I think in the near future you will see a lot more Asians winning worldwide in the big events,'' Singh told Reuters yesterday as he prepared for this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

''They feel that players like KJ (Choi) and others who are doing well on different tours can do it and therefore why not them? It's a good thing to have that in yourself, to believe that if someone else can do it, why not me?'' South Korean Choi has posted four top-10 finishes in majors, including a tie for eighth in this month's British Open at Carnoustie.

Although three-times major winner Vijay Singh is of Indian ancestry, he was born in Fiji and is therefore claimed by the continent of Oceania.

''There are so many more Asians with a lot of talent,'' Singh added. ''They just need to come out and get a chance to play.

They want to prove themselves, and that's the beauty about it.''

FIRST INDIAN

Singh, who became the first Indian to compete at the Masters in April, accepts certain things have to fall into place for someone to win one of golf's four majors.

''That week you have to believe in yourself that you're as good as everybody else out there,'' the 35-year-old said. ''If you do that and some putts roll in for you and you get some good breaks, I think it's possible.'' Singh, whose superb form towards the end of last year helped him win the China Open, the Volvo Masters in Spain and two consecutive titles on the Japanese Tour, is desperate to regain his putting touch this week.

''I am playing really rock solid right now but my putting hasn't been up to the mark,'' he said.

''I just need to trust in it and build some confidence. I am hitting the ball as well as I did last year but the putting hasn't been as sharp and that's what has been holding me back.

''But I believe that I am a good putter and that things will come around.''

Reuters>