Jeev hopelful of performing well in Indian Masters

New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) Confident of performing well on the demanding Delhi Golf Course (DGC) in the star studded Emaar-MGF Indian Masters from February 7 to 10, ace pro Jeev Milkha Singh today said an Indian win would be the icing on the cake.

Jeev was of the view that he is in good form,'' Yeah, I've been playing really well. I think it all comes down to putting for the four days.I'm striking the ball really well. I'm really confident with my striking. Hopefully it's a good putting week.'' Admitting that DGC was very demanding course he said,'' You have to be very patient on this golf course. You have got to plan a lot of golf shots, especially off the tee, and you can't get too aggressive.'' ''The main thing I find on this golf course is that you have to keep the ball in play off the tee. If we can do that, everything after that I think is quite simple after that. Off the tee I think is the key, to leave yourself well with a better chance of making birdie,'' he said.

He said he was happy the way he has been playing and was hopeful of a good finish this week.

Jeev said though he has played quite a bit here but it (DGC) is not his home course,'' but I think it does give the Indian players an advantage because especially the way the course is set up.'' Asked about the favourite to win the Indian Masters, Jeev said, ''I think anybody can win this week. A lot of things can happen, especially on Sunday the way this course is. You hit one bad drive and you can be 3-over or 4-over on that hole. Like I said, it's anybody's game, because there's a lot of depth. But if an Indian wins, it will be icing on the cake, that's the way I would put it.

''The European Tour coming in is fantastic start and if an Indian could win it, it would be great and the way the economy is going and the corporate spending more -- if we can fit them on the schedule.'' Asked who is the favourite Indian player to win this week,he replied,'' There are a lot of good players this week, a lot of young guns. I can't pinpoint anybody but I think there's going to be a lot of good players this week who are going to be contending and who are hungry to prove themselves.'' About himself, he said,'' Every single time, I just come here and try to give it my best.'' About his plans for the year the ace golfer said,'' This year, maybe it's going to be The European Tour, and depending if I come back in the Top-50 in the world, then I'll go play the major championships, and also the WGC events, and a few before that and after that. I was really fortunate that I got invited back to the Masters this year. I was a wild card entry, and just such a surprise for me and I'm going to play the week before that and the week after that.'' Jeev was candid enough to admit that golf can not be atpar with the cricket in the country atleast not in nesar future,'' I think cricket is far ahead of golf, and maybe if you get close to cricket, I think that's going to be fantastic.'' He also reacted to the reports that tennis player (Sania Mirza) will not like play at home because of controversies. saying,'' I do enjoy playing at home, there's always pressure and expectations are high, and I do understand that. And I can understand where she's coming from but myself, I can say that I enjoy playing at home.

And if I can do that in the future, also, I would love to come back here.'' UNI HSB AB VC1916