Jeev breaks into top 50

Asked that he was now assured of the Asian Order of Merit title, he said over phone, 8220;It will make things easier for me as I would get direct entries to many top tournaments and playing in big events will give confidence to me. It will also help me in getting my rankings below 50 which at present is my main aim8221;.

Singh8217;s triumph at Asia8217;s richest national Open, has helped him set a few other records as well. He has now become the first player in the Asian Tour8217;s history to earn over US1 million in a single season. At the moment his season8217;s earnings stand at an unprecedented US1.4 million. Jeev also dislodged Thailand8217;s Thongchai Jaidee as the leader of the career earnings in Asia, taking his tally to US2.45 million.

Jeev however, rates his performance at the 2006 Volvo Masters as his best. The Singapore Open triumph underlined Jeev Milkha Singh8217;s growing stature as a world class player and the seasoned Indian is good enough to win Major tournaments, according to Asian Tour authorities.