Volvo Masters: Shiv prepares for challenge from Jeev, Randhawa

Bangkok, Dec 7 (UNI) A rejuvenated Shiv Kapur is hoping that the lessons learnt from Tiger Woods will come in handy when he tees off to defend his Volvo Masters of Asia title next week against stiff challenge from compatriots Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa.

The young Indian star feels that Indian Open winner Randhawa, who won the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2004, and the in-form Jeev Milkha Singh, who has already wrapped up the UBS Order of Merit title, are firm favourites in Bangkok.

''I won't be surprised if it goes to another Indian challenge.

Jeev is playing the best golf of his life and Jyoti is playing really well. Both have had dream seasons and in my eyes, those are the two guys that I will have to watch out for the most,'' he said.

''But at the end of it, it's all about my own game. You can't control what your opponents do,'' he added.

Shiv is upbeat ahead of the Asian Tour's season finale after taking an unscheduled two-week break to focus on his title defence at Thai Country Club from December 14-17.

''I've had a hectic year with no substantial time off. There was a temptation to play on in Australia and New Zealand in the last two weeks as I was playing well. But I had to force myself to take a break and take time off to prepare for the Volvo Masters of Asia,'' Shiv said.

''It's an important event for me, it's a big one on our Tour and the first time that I'm defending a professional title. I wanted to get sharper on certain aspects of my game and switch off mentally before heading to Bangkok. I didn't want to get there feeling tired,'' he added.

The Indian, who won last year's title with an impressive 20-under 268 winning total, feels his game is peaking at the right time, very much in the same vein as last year where he posted five top-10s in the weeks leading up to his maiden Asian Tour triumph. In the current season, he has finished fifth in the Barclays Singapore Open, Asia's richest national Open, 18th in the star-studded HSBC Champions in Shanghai and 13th in the Dunlop Phoenix Open in Japan before taking a three-week sabbatical.

Shiv said he is hoping to take a leaf out of world number one Woods' book.

''I'm hoping to learn from Tiger who says he only plays when he's ready to win. That's the difference between him and the other top guys. I've had a full week of not touching my clubs which is the longest that I've not played in my career. Sometimes when you keep playing, you make continual adjustments to try and make things work but it may not be the right thing to do,'' he explained.

''The sharpness has not been there in my short game and iron play. Over the last few weeks, I've had a chance to really work on some parts of my game,'' the defending champion went on to add.

A return to the Thai Country Club is an exciting prospect for Shiv, whose career turned dramatically with last year's triumph.

''Before the Volvo Masters of Asia last year, I thought I had to go back to Qualifying School. Then I had a dream run where I played great and when I got to Bangkok, I did believe that I could win,'' he recalled.

''That victory reinforced what confidence can do for you and that I had the game to compete. It was a question of putting all parts of my game together for a week. I was relaxed and that was the secret to winning,'' he added.

Currently eighth on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, Shiv has taken a giant step towards global fame after earning his card on the European Tour for 2007. But ultimately, he is looking beyond Europe.

''Winning last year catapulted my career and set me to a whole different level. I started thinking differently and now, I'm on the European Tour as well. I'm looking at the US PGA Tour next,'' he said.

''At the start of the year, one of my goals was to earn my card in Europe and what's still missing is a win. From a year ago, I understand my game a lot better now and know what it takes to be competitive,'' the Indian added.

UNI