Dubai, Feb 3 (Inditop.com) Jeev Milkha Singh leads the biggest Indian challenge at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic golf with an unprecedented total of six Indians due to tee off Thursday.
Among those giving challenge to Jeev, who is playing his first event after the birth of his son last week, will be European Tour regulars Jyoti Randhawa, Shiv Kapur and S.S.P. Chowrasia.
Coming back to Dubai after a long gap is Arjun Atwal, who plans to play a few more events on Asian and European Tours before going back to US PGA. Then there is Anirban Lahiri, who got a special spot from Golf in Dubai, the promoters of the event.
“I had a modest start at Abu Dhabi, but at that time I was also a bit anxious about news from home,” said Jeev referring to the impending birth of his first child. “Now all is well and I am fired up. It is indeed a great feeling to be a father and I am very excited about it.”
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, was all set to defend his title. “It’s massive,” said McIlroy, who has been playing in the tournament for the last five years – the first two years as an amateur.
“I am thankful to golf in DUBAi for giving me the opportunity to play here as an amateur for two years and gain valuable experience that not many other people could get, I suppose,” said the 20-year-old from Northern Ireland.
McIlroy sounded pretty confident ahead of the $2.5 million tournament. “I just feel very, very comfortable on this (Majlis) course – and at this tournament. I feel as if I have got all of the shots that I need around this golf course. It’s a course where I feel I can shoot a really good score.”
rounak