2008 JAPAN TOUR - Season-ending Nippon Series JT Cup

[PKBasu]

Congratulations to Jeev for his second title of the year! And thank you, Ajay, for the wonderful commentary/updates, and Jaydeep for pointing us to that excellent article by our friend Krishnaswamy. As the latter says, Jeev has truly been the trailblazer of Indian golf, and undoubtedly the finest golfer India has produced to-date.
After that wonderful 2006, last year was a relatively quiet year for Jeev (although he did reasonably well in his first attempt at the Masters in Augusta). But this year, Jeev is truly back near the sort of form he displayed in 2006. Like two years ago, it is Jeev's consistency (in the EPGA, JPGA and APGA) that really stands out. Somehow, he hasn't quite replicated it in the US PGA (mainly because he is nowhere near being a regularly on that tour), but we should be amply satisfied with the fabulous stuff he has done on all the other tours this year. If only he could have played the British Open, I think he would certainly have been a contender. 

[jaydeep]

At Sun Chlorella Classic 2008, Jeev started from back 9 ... He scored a bogey on 11th hole but scored back to back birdies on next 2 holes to went -1 for the day ... Then he scored PAR on next 12 holes ... On his 17th hole (8th hole on the course) he scored +3 on Par-4 and scored another bogey on his last hole to finished +3 for the tournament ...

Currently he is T43 with + 3 and 9 shots behind the leader.

[ajay]

Horrible finish in first round. Jeev did well for 16 holes to be close to top 10 at -1, but the disaster on the last two holes brought him tumbling down the leaderboard. Hopefully, a bad day is out of way and Jeev will recover strongly tomorrow and during weekend he'll catch up with leaders. Go Jeev!

[ajay]

Second day turned out to be worse as Jeev played a 5 over round and a total of +8. Jeev gets two extra days to give rest to his ankle,

[jaydeep]

I would say this is blessing in disguise as he really needs some rest for his inflame ankle.

[Kumar]

Jeev should have taken a week break... hopefully he can do well in PGA championship next week

[jaydeep]

As reported earlier (in Jeev's thread?) this week Jeev is playing season-ending Nippon Series JT Cup at Tokyo ... Jeev started well on his favorite hunting ground, where he won the title in 2006 and missed the title winning chance in 2007 when after leading the tournament until 71st hole he scored a double bogey on the last hole to finished on 3rd, he scored 6-under (64) to sharing the second, one stroke behind leader Kaname Yokoo (63).

Jeev had a blemishless round with 6 birdies and no bogeys ... Jeev scored 3 birdies each on the front and back 9.

Jeev after the first round - "I have been playing well and as I have always maintained if I can keep myself in contention over the weekend, I will always have a chance. I sure love this tournament of champions. It seems to bring the best out in me."

[Prem]

Good start by Jeev.
Keep it up...

[jaydeep]

After end of second round at Golf Nippon Series JT Cup 2008, Jeev is leading the pack ... Today only 6 players from 26 players managed under par round, Jeev scored PAR round and taking lead by 1 stroke over 2 local players.

Jeev started from front 9, scored birdie, bogey, birdie on first 3 holes ... Then scored another birdie on 6th hole with bogey on 7th ... He completed front 9 scoring birdie and was 2 under for the day after completing 9 holes ... But on back 9 he scored a double bogey on 11th hole to back on even for the day ... Then he scored birdie on 16th hole but bogey on par-5 17th hole brought him back on even for the day.

Very sad, my condolences with Jeev and his family -

Any other player would have packed the bag and headed home but Jeev Milkha Singh, urged by his wife, shone through the grief of losing his child and turned in an even-par round on Friday.

With his wife recuperating in a local hospital after delivering a stillborn baby, playing in the Nippon Series was the last thing on Jeev's mind but he decided to tee off at the urge of his better half.

[Kumar]

Any other player would have packed the bag and headed home but Jeev Milkha Singh, urged by his wife, shone through the grief of losing his child and turned in an even-par round on Friday.

With his wife recuperating in a local hospital after delivering a stillborn baby, playing in the Nippon Series was the last thing on Jeev's mind but he decided to tee off at the urge of his better half.

Condolences to Jeev and his wife on this loss... Praying that both of them recover from this loss..

[Prem]

Very sad to hear what happened with Jeev and his wife.
Condolences to both on this loss.
Hope and pray that both come out of this quickly.
Already they have shown the strength by continuing to play this event.

Not so important at this momet, but Jeev is tied 3rd after round 3, just a shot away from the leaders.
He has every chance of winning this event if he can somehow maintain his focus amidst the crisis he is going through.

[usaindian]

jeev started round 4 and so far he is 3 under and leading by 3 shots
with 11 holes to play.

[kujo]

Very unfortunate thing to happen for Jeev and his wife. Jeev seems focused and determined in this sad hour. He is leading by 3 strokes (3 under today) with 7 holes to play. Arjun Atwal won one for his Dad, recently. This win by Jeev (when it happens later today) would be for the baby. Go Jeev!!

[kujo]

And Jeev wins the season ending Nippon series JT Cup by 2 strokes (4 under for the day). This 2008 season certainly rivals or betters Jeev's 2006 season performance. Congratulations Jeev!!

[ajay]

Congratulations Jeev. What a season for Jeev once again. Four wins in 2008, just like 2006. And its not over yer as Jeev would definately play the season ending Asian tour event.
Jeev should be very close to his best ranking once again.