November 14, 2006 – Jeev Milkha Singh will play through the pain barrier at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open as he seeks his third European Tour title of 2006.
The high-flying Indian injured his wrist in Japan six weeks ago but is in such good form he doesn’t want to take time off.
He is getting by with painkillers and regular physiotherapy and will wear a protective wristband when the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open tees off on Thursday at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.
“I’m playing well but, physically, I’m not too good because I injured my right wrist at the Acom International in Japan a month and a half ago,” revealed Singh.
“I was trying to hit out of some weeds to the green, so I took a full swing and my sand wedge got jammed in there. The ball went out but my hand took all the shock.
“My doctor said I need time off, but that is what I can’t do right now, so I just don’t think about it and will keep going.”
Singh, 34, said he was concerned it was a reoccurrence of the wrist injury that held up his career in 2000.
“After the final event of the season I’m going to take at least three to four weeks off and I’m going to get an MRI scan on it. This is the same wrist I damaged before and I don’t want it to happen again.”
Singh has good reason to continue playing – the Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit crown. With just two events remaining, he leads Thailand’s Prom Meesawat by US$118,237 in the race to finish the year as Asia’s No.1.
He is also keen to break into the world’s top 50 from his current ranking of 70.
A good performance in the UBS Hong Kong Open – where he will face a world class field that includes defending champion Colin Montgomerie and Major winners Retief Goosen and Michael Campbell – would help him achieve those goals.
“Obviously, the Hong Kong Open has a lot of history,” said Singh. “I like the golf course because it is old and involves playing in a traditional style. You have to do a lot of course management. I’m excited to play here.”
