After another solid week as he inexorably climbs up the world rankings,Jeev Milkha Singh was looking beyond his fourth-place finish at the World Golf Championship in Florida on Sunday. It reminded him of his tied-ninth place at the PGA Championships last year when like this last week at Doral he had shot into the lead on Day One. I wish I could play like that every day. The good thing about the (Phil) Mickelsons,(Sergio) Garcias and (Padraig) Harringtons is that they play consistently. In both the tournaments,I was in the lead but slipped later. I need to grab the initiative and sustain the same level throughout, Jeev told 'The Indian Express' by phone. The 37-year-old finished with an aggregate of 14-under 274 while Phil Mickelson won the tournament with a score of 19-under despite having to take injections due to exhaustion the previous evening. It was his 36th win on the PGA Tour and took him to number two in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods. Mickelson played like a champion today. We could see him dehydrating early in the day but he kept his cool. As for me,bogeys on the fourth and eighth hole made it a bit difficult. Then I dropped a stroke at the 13th. I couldve done a bit better but Im happy with the way things are going for me at the moment, said Jeev,who earned $360,000 and climbed to a career-high ranking of 29. With six wins on the Asian Tour and three on the European Tour already under his belt,Jeev is now targeting a victory on the US PGA Tour. Ive been playing and winning on the Asian and European Tour,but I need to win on the US Tour. This season has begun well for me and Im hopeful of earning a full US Tour card,apart from playing in all the Majors. Rankings dont matter too much to me,but the important thing is that Ill get to play in all the Majors if I keep my current position intact. Jeevs schedule in the coming days is packed and hes looking to strike form at the Augusta Masters next month. Ill be taking part in the Transitions Championship,the Arnold Palmer Invitational Open,and the Shell Houston Open before the Masters. The last time I didnt do too well at Augusta,and Im looking to make amends this time, Jeev said. Lefty closing in on Tiger Mickelson,meanwhile,survived seven lead changes in 11 holes against Nick Watney before hanging on with seven pars for a three-under 69 on the final day and a one-shot victory. He won for the second time in four weeks and,depending on how Woods fares at Bay Hill,the left-hander might have a chance to go to No. 1 when he plays again. But,for now,winning this tournament was all that mattered to him. Four years ago,he lost a two-shot lead against Woods in a duel that ranks among the best ever at Doral. He didnt get his revenge against the worlds No. 1 player,but Watney gave him all he could handle. Watney closed with a 2-under 70,holing an unlikely chip for birdie from behind the ninth green,then making an eagle on the 10th to pull into a tie for the lead. Needing a birdie on the 18th hole,which yielded only three in the final round,Watney thought his 30-footer was good until it stopped one turn away. He pulled his cap over his face,and could only watch as Mickelson took two putts from 25 feet away for par and the victory. It took a lot out of me, said Mickelson,who sipped on energy drinks throughout the round. I havent eaten much in three days. I fought hard. Ive been playing some of my best golf,and Im very excited to have finished it off. Jim Furyk shot 31 on the back nine for a 67 to finish alone in third,two shots ahead of Jeev.
