Jeev Milkha Singh nominated for Asian Player of the Decade

Kuala Lumpur: India’s top golfer Jeev Milkha Singh is in the running for the maiden Player of the Decade award (2004-2013) of the Asian Tour at its Awards Night in Jakarta on April 22. Besides Singh, the other golfers who have been nominated for the for the Player of the Decade award, which is voted by the Asian Tour members, are Thai duo Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant. Korea’s K.J. Choi and Y.E. Yang, the first male Asian golfer to win a Major title, are the other nominees. The Player of the Decade title has been created by the Asian Tour to celebrate its 10th season in 2013. Amongst the other top awards are the prestigious Order of Merit trophy, Players’ Player of the Year, Special Achievement Award and the various stats categories winners. [caption id=“attachment_1444619” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Jeev Milkha Singh. Reuters[/caption] “Over the years, we have witnessed many memorable moments and highlights by our talented members and it is fitting that we honour the Asian Tour’s Player of the Decade to commemorate our milestone 10th season last year,” said Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han. Throughout his illustrious career, Asian Tour honorary member Singh has won six Asian Tour titles and has also tasted success in Japan and Europe. He won the Order of Merit race in 2006 and 2008 and was victorious at the Scottish Open in 2012. Thongchai holds an unprecedented three Order of Merit titles and 13 Asian Tour victories. In 2012, he won his first title on European soil when he emerged victorious at the 2012 ISPS Handa Wales Open. The 45-year-old Thai will take on a different challenge when he leads Team Asia as the playing captain against Team Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM in Malaysia next week. Choi cut his professional teeth on the region’s premier Tour before going on to enjoy a highly decorated career on the PGA Tour where he has won eight titles including the 2011 Players Championship. He is also an Asian Tour honorary member. Yang signalled his arrival on the big stage when he won the 2006 HSBC Champions in China. In 2009, the Asian Tour honorary member made history when he defeated Tiger Woods in a head-to-head duel to become the first Asian to win a Major at the US PGA Championship. Like Choi, he also sharpened his game on the Asian Tour early in his career. Thai veteran Thaworn is renowned for his short game prowess. He holds an unprecedented 16 Asian Tour titles and won two Order of Merit crowns in 2004 and 2012. At 47, Thaworn continues to feature on leaderboards regularly on the Asian Tour. PTI