India's Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa join forces this week at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China. Randhawa has previously played in this event but it is Jeev's debut in the 28-nation competition.
"We are very excited, we are very strong as a team," said Singh, the Asian Tour's number one in 2006 and virtually assured of this season's Asian Tour Order of Merit title after securing victory at the recent Barclays Singapore Open. "It's great to have a chance to represent India. Golf in India is growing. If we can make things happen there, it'll be good. We want to try and have a good finish. We have a good chance of doing well."
Singh has enjoyed a magnificent season with victories in Europe, Japan and Asia which has lifted him back into the world's top-50. With the end of the year in sight, he wants to finish up with a successful campaign in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
"Although Jyoti and I haven't played together as a team, I believe we'll get on well together. The only thing that we are shy on is the alternate shot format. We're not used to it but I've spoken Jyoti that we shouldn't say sorry to each other. "If he hits a bad shot or I hit a bad shot, we're not going to say sorry. We are certainly going to put pressure on each other by leaving five or 10 footers for pars but this happens even when we play for ourselves. We should always take a stride forward and move on."
A major traveller on the international circuit, Singh has often been forced to skip the World Cup due to his hectic playing schedule. "I've always had to defend a tournament or tried to keep my card somewhere," said Singh, who usually plays around 40 tournaments per season. "That's why I've never had the opportunity to represent India but now that we've got a direct entry (through the World Rankings), I was excited at the prospect at playing in the World Cup."
Randhawa said he would be riding on Jeev's excellent form in China. "I just need to keep making pars and he'll do the rest," said Randhawa. "It's a good team and we hope to do well. It is different playing in the World Cup as there is more pressure as you're playing for the country and there is a lot riding on it. It's a great event and I'm looking forward to it."
