Injured Jeev to skip South Africa meet

India’s ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, who has been struggling with a right shoulder rotator cuff injury, said he will skip the Tshwane Open in South Africa scheduled later this month to rest and regain his fitness ahead of the season without undergoing surgery.

“I am not going to South Africa next week because I am not fit enough. I am going to practice for two weeks after this, get better and then try Morocco (Hassan II) and then try take a month off, after that,” Jeev said.

“With the month off, I am sure with the medicine, I should get better and I can work harder on my game also,” he said.

The Tshwane Open is scheduled from February 27 to March 2 and after the tournament in Morocco, the star golfer is set to take another three-month break before returning to the course by taking part in the Malaysian Open scheduled from April 17.

“After Morocco, I will take a month off and then start from the Malaysian Open. Then I will play three weeks - Malaysia, Volvo China, a tournament in Korea. Then I take a week off and then I start from the Spanish Open. Then I move to Europe. Basically just play there and then I will hopefully play the British Open, US Open and hope to do well,” he said.

The Chandigarh-born Arjuna awardee, winner of four European Tour events in his glittering career, rated 2013 as his worst year as he was plagued with injury problems like a tear in his shoulder. “2013 would be the worst year so far. The reason for that is a player who is injured and not practising enough, I don’t think can perform. That is the truth and reality. Now I feel, with the medicine that I am taking, my injury is 50 per cent better,” he said. “I just feel till March if the injury gets better, I will probably start working harder on my game and my performance is going to get better,” Jeev added. 

“I just need time for the injury to heal because my shoulder needs surgery and I don’t want to get surgery done”