The first HSBC India Legends Championship, hosted by Jeev Milkha Singh, is poised to be a pivotal event in Indian golf. Jeev Milkha Singh, a prominent figure in Indian golf, has expressed his enthusiasm for the event, highlighting its significance for the sport in India. He recently competed in the Zambia Golf Legends Championship, finishing tied 12th with a score of six under par, demonstrating his competitive edge as he gears up to host and participate in his own tournament. He shot rounds of 72, 71, and 67. 'It's going to be a major boost to Indian golf. It is truly special for me, and I am incredibly excited to be hosting and playing next week,' Jeev, a recipient of the Dubai Golden Visa, told Khaleej Times.
The 54-hole India Legends Championship will take place from August 29th to September 1st at the Jaipee Greens Golf and Spa Resort in Greater Noida, near Delhi. With a prize purse of $500,000, the event is co-sanctioned with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), with HSBC recently announced as the title sponsor. Khaleej Times interviewed the 52-year-old Dubai Golden Visa Awardee, Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), about his role in the tournament, just one week away. 'I am currently in Japan for the Japan Senior Tour event and will arrive in India on August 27th,' he said. 'One of my primary roles as tournament host is to welcome all the players to India, showcase my country to them, and enhance media coverage for India, the UAE, and the rest of the world. I am also arranging a tourist trip to the Taj Mahal for the group. All the planning seems to be in place, so it's up to us players to turn up and let this special week begin.'
Milkha Singh, originally from Chandigarh, India, has 20 professional wins to his name on various tours including the DP World Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour, and Korean Tour. This season, he ranks 28th on the Legends Tour MCB Road to Mauritius Order of Merit. The venue, Jaypee Greens, operational since 2000, is the only Greg Norman-designed golf course in India, measuring up to 7,347 yards from the back tees. The current field for the India Legends Championship includes notable players such as Michael Campbell (NZ), last week's winner in Zambia Keith Horne (RSA), Adilson Da Silva (Bra), James Kingston (RSA), Patrik Sjoland (Swe), and several other tournament winners. Indian golfers in the field include Jyoti Randhawa, six of the seven invites allocated so far, as well as Milkha Singh himself.
