Singh when you’re winning
Jumeirah Golf Estates ambassador Jeev Milkha Singh stormed to the top of the leaderboard in testing conditions on day 2 of The European Open as Leisurecorp’s first tournament of 2009 continued to pull in the crowds.
More than 20,000 spectators took advantage of free admission at The London Club as Singh carded a 69 to share the lead at the halfway stage with Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera who has now played half the tournament without dropping a shot.
Singh flew the flag for Jumeirah Golf Estates, the home of the Dubai World Championship, in sunny weather but with strong breezes on the exposed Heritage course.
“It was quite tough in the breeze. I think it was quite tough to judge the right club, and especially the distance on the back nine, especially on the breeze coming left to right and right to left,” said the Indian star.
“But I’m fortunate. I had a great chip in on No. 17. Wrong club off the tee but I got away with a birdie. That’s a bonus. I think 69 in these conditions, I take any day. I think it’s easily four to five shots tougher. I think yesterday, even par would have been 70; today, I think even par is close to 74, 75.”
Although Singh, who is currently 24th in The Race to Dubai, is delighted with the position he finds himself in after two rounds, he remains focused and is putting any thoughts of victory and the €341,220 winner’s cheque out of his mind at this stage.
“I’m just going to go out there and just try to follow my process and routine and see what comes my way. And that’s when I play my best golf and that’s what I’m going to try to do,” he said.
Sergio Garcia, co-designer of the aptly named Wind course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, also found the blustery conditions difficult to handle.
“It was definitely tough. Totally different wind,” said the Spaniard. “The course played much different, but I just didn’t play well. I hit three very poor shots and it cost me quite a bit.”
Singh was joined on the leaderboard by fellow Jumeirah Golf Estates ambassador José Manuel Lara who carved out an impressive 68 to go 6-under par and claim a share of 5th place, adding to an already successful day for co-promoters Leisurecorp.
With free admission throughout the entire championship and further sunshine predicted over the weekend, attendance records for The European Open are expected to be smashed at this year’s event.
