Jeev,Bhullar lead Indian charge at Malaysia

Good results could also see him make the PGA Championships,the season's last Major,later in the year in August.

Gaganjeet Bhullar,who achieved his career-best world ranking of 85 after his runner-up finish at the Avantha Masters,will be looking to move up further as he forms a part of the strong Asian challenge at the Maybank Malaysian Open starting Thursday.

Bhullar,a four-time winner on Asian Tour and once on the European Challenge Tour,is also looking at good finishes on the co-sanctioned events to ensure full playing rights on the European Tour in 2014. Good results could also see him make the PGA Championships,the season’s last Major,later in the year in August.

Meanwhile former Asian Tour Order of Merit winners Jeev Milkha Singh of India,Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and China’s Liang Wen-chong besides the 2012 Order of Merit winner,Thaworn Wiratchant will also be in the field.

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Jeev,a two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit number one,cut his professional teeth in Malaysia during his early days and is delighted to return to the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club where he finished tied 11th last season.

I love coming back to Malaysia. I won a few tournaments in Malaysia when I just turned professional. It gives me some positive vibes and I seem to do well here. I love playing in front of the Malaysian crowd and I’m glad to be back, said Jeev,a six-time Asian Tour champion. Jeev is ranked 104th in the world but is confident of breaking into the top-50 by the end of the season if he stays healthy. He knows a victory or a solid result this week will push him closer towards his goal.

I’m playing well and looking forward to a good week. I just need to tidy my game up a bit and try to get the job done. I want to get back into the top-50 in the world and if I can stay injury-free then I know I can do it, said Singh,who finished tied 23rd in the Avantha Masters.

He will be a part of a strong Indian contingent which includes Anirban Lahiri,who won his third Asiantitle two weeks ago,Himmat Rai,currently ninth on the merit list,Jyoti Randhawa,Shiv Kapur,SSP Chowrasia,Digvijay Singh and C Muniyappa.

Career-high for Bhullar

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Bhullar is now the top Indian golfer in world rankings as he achieved a career-best ranking of 85 after his runner-up finish at the Avantha Masters.

Bhullar’s previous best was 88th achieved towards the end of last year. Jeev Milkha Singh,who once ranked in the top-30,is the second best Indian at 104th place. In March 2009,Jeev was ranked 28th,the best-ever by an Indian. He was in the top-50 for a total of 68 weeks between late 2006 and early 2009.

Anirban Lahiri is ranked 158th and Shiv Kapur is at 204th. Bhullar,a four-time Asian Tour winner,is now on top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit where he leads with earnings of USD 262,648.

Bhullar is confident he can carry his momentum into the Malaysian Open,which is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and extend his lead on the Order of Merit.

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I have a strong feeling that with my current form,another tournament win is just around the corner, he said.