January 15, 2013: Shiv Kapur is banking on his good form he enjoyed in the last year as he enters the first major challenge of 2014, Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which begins on Thursday. The battle sees likes of Phil Mickelson, Rory Mcilroy as part of the stellar field. Kapur along with Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar are Indian challenge at the coveted Falcon Trophy of US$ 2.7million prize fund – the richest purse on the Desert Swing.
Shiv Kapur won two challenge tour titles in 2013 to win back his European Tour card for 2014. This will be his first major test of the season.
Seasoned Jeev Milkha Singh looks healed of his index finger injury, and is ready to take on the world’s best as Indian participant at the HSBC Golf Championship.
This year will mark the eighth time that India’s record-breaking star will return to the event for a shot at holding the coveted Falcon trophy, an advantage he is confident will see him in amongst the frontrunners on the final day of this week’s Championship.
“I’m looking forward to giving it everything I’ve got in Abu Dhabi, a place where I’ve thoroughly enjoyed opening my season for a number of years now. I know the course well and I’m determined to use that experience to my benefit this week. I feel as good as ever and can’t wait to get the season underway,” said Singh, who is first Indian to qualify for the European Tour in 1998 and remains the most successful Indian on tour with four wins to his name.
Treading on the similar lines, is compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar. Confident after winning his 5th Asian Tour title, Indonesian Open in last month of 2013, he is ready to make his mark on his maiden appearance on the European Tour event.
Bhullar so far, has one challenge tour title to his name with five wins on the region’s premier Asian Tour. This should be a good opportunity for the 25-year-old Indian to showcase his golfing potential.
