Drive safely, putt naturally

Ian Poulter might have been dressed in his Bollywood Bling best, but it was cricket craze that caught hold...

Ian Poulter might have been dressed in his Bollywood Bling best, but it was cricket craze that caught hold of the flamboyant English star on his Delhi day-out. Early morning street cricketers at India Gate lent equipment for the golfer to pose for the clicking-by-the-dozen cameras once he was done with the monument in the backdrop.

Men on horseback, elaborate ceremonies, the sterling silver trophy and a posse of big-league golfers 8212; the Johnnie Walker Classic has landed in town.

The official welcoming business had been dealt with. So Jeev Milkha Singh and Vijay Singh looked on amused at the glittering Poulter take stance. Courting controversy after his 8220;it8217;s just me and Tiger8221; comment, the Englishman will be hard to miss this week too 8212; if not for the stunning game, then certainly for the singular attire. His black and topaz outfit today was just the first in line of the various having been designed specially for the week. And he8217;s not the only one dressed for the occasion. DLF Golf and Country Club basked in the starry glow, each speck of brushed grass in place.

Golf8217;s Mrs Doubtfire might have been swept by the momentum, but Colin Montogomerie seemed to be at his best audience behaviour as the celebrity pro-am teed off. Generous with smiles, the Ryder Cup legend, though, was only the first flutter at the 10th tee. Australian Adam Scott, defending champion Anton Haig, Sam Torrance and David Frost all took their place beside the glistening water and the fluttering medley in the flowerbeds.

Montgomerie drew gasps from playing partners with the approach on the 17th and Torrance played to the gallery with a splash on the 18th, but the evening ended in fading sunlight with the good humour still intact. And though not many cared to walk the stars on their first looks at the course, the bunch of kids at the 18th green still bagged autographs and photographs.

Freeze-frames moments, of course, are still a day away.

Back Home

Having set up a new house in England, Jeev Milkha Singh is back home. Three weeks after he missed the cut at the Delhi Golf Club, Jeev says he8217;s glad it8217;s a different course he gets to try impress the home fans at. 8220;It8217;s a great course to play in. The greens are undulating and you really need control, especially if the wind blows like it has been,8221; he said.

Jeev kept away from the Asian Tour event last week here in India to recuperate. 8220;I8217;m fresh after the week off. I needed that,8221; he said. The second place at Indonesia the week before might still rankle, but Jeev says he is looking ahead to a stronger future. 8220;I have a couple more weeks in Asia and then I8217;ll base myself in the US for a little less than two months,8221; he said. There8217;s the small matter of the Masters to settle, after all.