Rejuvenated and fit Jeev returns to action at WGC

AKRON - After a three-week gap, Jeev Milkha Singh will return to action at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at the Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio.

Jeev said he has fully recovered from the side muscle injury that forced him to withdraw from the British Open last month.

Jeev, at 41st, the highest Asian in World Rankings, will first tee off at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and will then move to PGA Championships, where he finished tied ninth for his first-ever top-10 finish in a Major.

After realising that it was no use playing with an injury or discomfort I took the difficult decision to pull out of the British Open after reaching the venue. I have had three weeks’ rest and worked on my side muscles to get fit for WGC and PGA Championships, said Jeev.

The favourite at the event will as usual be four-time champion Tiger Woods. Also in the field is Stewart Cink, playing his first event after the triumph at British Open, where he beat veteran Tom Watson in a four-hole play-off for his maiden Major.

There are only 80 players in the field and there will be no cut at the $8 million event where the last placed player picks up just over $30,000 and winner makes $1.35 million. The defending champion is Vijay Singh of Fiji.

Meanwhile, Jeev added, I am playing well, but the injury had hampered my swing and shots out of the rough. I have used my driver well and gone all out, which I was finding difficult during the injury. I am now confident with it. Overall, I am feeling good after this three-week rest period.

“My injury is almost 95 per cent fine and in practice I feel as good I have before. I am hoping all goes fine as I am confident about the game otherwise.”

“At the start of the year, I had said doing well at the Majors and WGC was my goal and also to try and win on US Tour. That remains my goal and I think I have it in me to do so,” felt Jeev.

“I have had a top-10 at PGA and I was fourth in WGC-CA earlier this year, so I think I can do it.”

Jeev has been paired with David Toms and Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, who at 50th is the next best Asian on world rankings after Jeev. Interestingly, while Jeev was the 2006 and 2008 Asian Tour Order of Merit title winner, Jaidee, winner twice before in 2001 and 2004, is the current leader in 2009.