Jeev given honorary Asian Tour membership

Ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh on Tuesday joined the likes of Vijay Singh and K J Choi as an honorary member of the Asian Tour for his contribution to golf in the region and across the globe.

"I think it's a great honour for what I've done for golf  in Asia. I'm pretty excited that I've been recognised for my achievements and I want to thank the Asian Tour and all the members for considering me for this recognition," said Jeev. 

The 37-year-old has become one of the world's leading players in recent years winning eight tournaments in Asia, Europe and Japan over the past three seasons. 

He has also broken into the world's top-30 and has won two Asian Tour Order of Merits in 2006 and 2008. Jeev was also the first golfer to surpass USD one million in earnings on the Asian Tour in a single season last year. 

"This is where I started from and I will never forget that," said Jeev.

"I will always go back and support the Asian Tour. The way the Asian Tour has grown is fantastic to see. I feel and strongly believe that the Asian Tour will continue to grow and produce top-class players."

Jeev cut his professional teeth in Asia in 1995 and immediately showed his potential by finishing third on the Order of Merit.

Between five seasons, he won four titles before enduring a dip in form due to injuries.

The Indian went through several lean seasons before coming back with a vengeance in 2006 with a long-awaited victory in the Volvo China Open. 

It sparked a superb revival in his game as he went on to win three times around the world and lift his maiden Asian Tour's Order of Merit crown. 

Last season also he won four times internationally, including the Barclays Singapore Open which saw him take his  season's earnings to USD 1.45 million and rewarded him with a second Order of Merit crown. 

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said he was delighted that Jeev accepted the honorary membership.

"As one of the pioneers of the Asian Tour, Jeev's success story serves as a wonderful inspiration to many young players in Asia. He learned to compete and win on the Asian Tour and is now regarded as one of the world's best players," he said.