Family presence gives Jeev comfort at Majors (US Open Diary)

FARMINGDALE - Jeev Milkha Singh, the standard bearer of Indian golf, has a good number of his family members here at the US Open. While wife Kudrat travels with him most of the time, also present at Bethpage are his legendary athlete dad Milkha Singh, mother Nirmal Singh and his sister Mona, who lives in New York.

Anytime you play a big tournament and you have your family around, it is always a nice feeling, said Jeev. I remember Mona being here when I first played US Open at Bethpage in 2002. Since then they have all come at various times to Masters, British Open and PGA and some other events in US and Europe.

He added, Their presence gives a home-like feeling and it feels great since I travel good part of the year.

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Jeev sought after by American media

He may not make the cut and he may be injured, but Jeev Milkha is much sought after by the American and European - though they know him better there - media, since an Indian golfing star is still a novelty in these parts.

While the Indians in the crowds feel great to walk alongside an Indian golfer, the media wants to know everything about Indian golf. How many courses are there? Are there any big tournaments? Are there lots of pro golfers in India? And so on.

Well if I can get them to look at Indian golf and popularise it, it will be something I will be proud of, says Jeev, before rushing off to another interview.

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Edfors and Federer - separated at birth

The smiling and bearded Johan Edfors of Sweden, a three-time European Tour winner, is also well known for his painter-like cap. But what many miss out is that if, he shaves he looks an identical twin of tennis superstar Roger Federer, who is a great pal of Woods.

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King Kong climbed it, Golden Bear lit it up

The Empire State Building is known in most parts of the world as the one which King Kong climbed. But on Wednesday, the day before the 109th edition of the US Open started, Jack Nicklaus, the man they call the Golden Bear, lit it up.

On June 17 evening in Manhattan, Nicklaus flipped the switch to turn on the lights at the top of the 1,454-foot Empire State Building in the heart of Manhattan. In celebration of the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage, the top of the most famous building in New York was cast in red, white and blue lights.