Jeev Milka Singh muscled his way to a new Royal Portrush course record and then revealed his desire to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
The 40-year old Singh birdied six of his opening nine holes and made it three birdies in succession when he birdied the 10th before dropping a shot at the 14th but ending his round with a birdie at the last.
Jeev Milka Singh warms to the wet conditions to shoot a new Royal Portrush course record. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
He ended his round minutes before lightning and then heavy rain stopped play at 3.05pm local time and with the tournament not resuming to 4.40pm.
Frenchman Gregory Bourdy later joined Singh near 8.30pm local time witha similar 65, and in his best score all season.
Singh’s score is his best opening round since a similar 65 to commence the Maybank Malaysian Open earlier this year, and on route to finishing 11th in Kuala Lumpur.
His effort has also been credited as a new Royal Portrush course record and three strokes better than the prior low of 64 set by Ireland’s Patrick McCrudden in the 2010 North of Ireland Amateur Championship.
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy had set a record low of 61 in qualifying for the 2005 North of Ireland however the County Antrim links gem has been lengthened since then and with a number of new tee boxes created.
Singh ended his minutes before the lightning activity halted play at 3.05pm local time.
Singh is visiting Northern Ireland for a first occasion and spoke of his joy in competing on a links course after having made his ‘link’s debut as a then 16-year in the 1988 British Amateur championship at Royal Porthcawl in Wales.
“I’ve always loved playing on links courses as you get to play some remarkable shots where you pitch it 20-yards short of the green, and where you don’t always have to go with the driver,” he said.
“You can elect to play it short and then play these low bump-and-run shots into greens, so you need feel and imagination in playing links golf and I just love that.
“Growing up I never played links golf but then I went to British Amateur qualifying about 20 years ago and just enjoyed every bit of it.
“That was at Royal Porthcawl and I thought to myself how do you play these golf courses as it was really tough but I’ve since come to love links golf even though I shot big numbers.
”And coming from India I wasn’t even use to wearing rain gear.”
And while Singh’s foremost goal is winning a fourth European Tour title, as well as ending a four-year winless drought, he also spoke of his quest of qualifying for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, and when golf returns to the Olympics for a first occasion since 1904.
That goal has heightened not only by the fact his now 82-year old father, Milka was a three-time Olympic sprinter but with news a movie on his father’s life will be released next January 26th and on the occasion of India National Day.
“The Director and producer of the movie came over and spent a lot of time with him and asked him a lot of questions in what is going to be an inspirational movie,” said Singh.
“It’s going to be released on January 26th next year which is a special day for all Indians. I’ve been informed shooting is progressing very well and from the family hears, the message that will be sent out from the movie will make a lot of difference.
“It’s about his life history from his childhood till he ran.”
And Singh will have a special gift to present to his father, a bottle of Bushmill’s 21-year old single malt Irish whiskey presented to him by local Portrush resident and current British Open champion, Darren Clarke, who it’s been revealed presented each of the three India players this week, including SSP Chowrasia and Shiv Kapur.
“Darren has been very nice to us in presenting us with a bottle of Bushmill’s, so I will hold onto this bottle and take back home for my father,” said Singh.
“I always enjoy the time I spend with him and it will be good to go home and catch up and have a chat, and to enjoy a glass of Bushmill’s.”
Three players, the England pair of Mark Foster and Andrew Marshall along with Australia’s Matthew Zions share second place on six under par ahead of the afternoon half of the draw taking to the course.
