Singh: Augusta return
The atmosphere, the golf course and the crowds are fantastic. I can never forget that.
Jeev Milkha Singh
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India's Jeev Milkha Singh is determined to repay the faith of the Masters organisers with a strong showing at Augusta next week.
The 2006 Asian Tour number one became the first Indian to play in the Masters last year and admitted he was surprised to earn a return invitation.
At number 80 on the world rankings, Singh did not qualify for the year's first major but is one of three Asian players to receive a special invitation.
"It was a pleasant surprise. I never thought I would be invited back," he admitted. "I got a call on a Friday evening in Abu Dhabi in January while I was in bed with the flu. I couldn't have asked for a better invite in my life, I'll always cherish this."
Led Masters
In 2006 Singh won four times around the world and last year he led the Masters briefly during the first round after making the turn in three under, before finishing tied for 10th at the end of the day.
At the halfway stage he was joint 15th, although further rounds of 78 and 79 saw the 37-year-old from Chandigarh finish in a tie for 37th position.
Last year's strong showing on his debut gives him hope of featuring at the top of the leaderboard next week.
"I know the golf course now and it does suit my game. But you have to stay patient especially on the greens. I will have to follow my process and routine and see what comes my way," he added.
"I'm going to play it differently this time. I'm going to hit more drivers and I have decided which holes I'm going to hit with a driver and I'm looking forward to that."
Singh suffered a mini slump in 2007 but has bounced back with runner-up finishes at the Indonesian Open and Ballantine's Championship in South Korea so far this season and is currently eighth on the Order of Merit.
"Last year was a letdown but I took it in my stride," he said. "I should have played the way I played in 2006. But I'm human. My expectations went up and I was expecting more things from myself and became result orientated and forgot about my routine and process.
Focus
"When I don't follow my routine, I'm not able to hit the shots that I want to. I'm thinking of other stuff instead of thinking of putting in a good swing. You don't focus and that's all a human being can do. If you stick to process and routine, it falls into place.
"Last year was average but 2008 is going to be a good year. I'm playing well and I'm looking forward to it."
He is also relishing the prospect of a return to Augusta. "The atmosphere, the golf course and the crowds are fantastic. I can never forget that. It's such a good atmosphere."
