June 09, 2016: There is plenty of Indian interest this week in Austria. Jeev Milkha Singh continues to search for form while Shiv Kapur is looking for glory in the immediate aftermath of a marriage with his childhood sweetheart. Chiragh Kumar and Himmat Rai will look to make the most of an opportunity to mix it with the big boys in Europe. Chris Wood is coming off a big win at Wentworth just as he seeks to defend his title at the Diamond Club in Atzenbrugg.
Jeev’s best results this season came in March – T7 at the True Thailand Classic and a top 30 finish in the Hero Indian Open fueling his hopes of resurrecting his career after being ravaged by injuries for the past few years.
At his last two events – the BMW PGA Championship (71-75) and the Nordea Masters (75-84), Singh failed to make the cut.
Shiv finished T45 (74-68-74-76) at the Nordea Masters last week. It was his best result on the tour since the top 10 finish he earned at the Hero Indian Open. Kapur did well last week, even as he was battling viral fever.
He will hope to play well in Austria, having recovered from the fever. Chiragh Kumar and Himmat Rai have shown some good form in Asia and a good performance this week should inspire them to move up the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Both young me have an early start, beginning at 0840 CET. Shiv Kapur will go out forty minutes after the duo with Ricardo Gouveia and Danny Poulter.
Chiragh and Shiv will tee off from the tenth hole while Himmat will start from the first tee. Jeev will also play from the first tee starting at 1240 hrs.
The Diamond Country Club is an hour out of Vienna. There will be plenty of wet balls this week with water hazards featuring around 13 of the 18 holes of the course. The greens are expected to play quick – 11’5” on the stimp meter.
