Japanese tour regular Jyoti Randhawa spent the day getting his 1000CC Yamaha motorbike fixed, while the other two stalwarts of Indian golf, Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal got a feel for the Delhi Golf Course greens, prior to the pro-am competition on the eve of the US$ 300,000 Hero Honda Masters.Jyoti and Jeev got in last night and the former took the day off before he makes his first appearance on home soil after winning the Suntory Open in Japan. Jeev, on the other hand, enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the Delhi Golf Course. ‘‘I hope I can win in India,’’ laughed Jeev.And considering that he has come back to India after a strong finish on the Japanese tour and a few minor adjustments to his swing, he certainly can fancy his chances.Meanwhile, Arjun, who is also hitting the ball long and straight, homed in with a driver and seven iron onto the par-five 14th hole today. He is very relaxed and prepared to lead the field as the number one player on the current Asian Order of Merit. ‘‘This is one of my favorite courses and I love coming back here. That is one of the reasons I am back,’’ said the amicable young professional who has appraised the nine new greens that have been added to the course. ‘‘They are big greens, hard and fast,’’ he said.The Delhi Golf Course, which was closed for a week in preparation for the tournament will play nine new greens this week — the fourth, ninth, tenth, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes. ‘‘The greens are playing well, they are hard and tricky to put on,” added Jeev.The course, which supports a fresh coat of paint and perfectly manicured greens may witness some high scores this week, as most professionals feel that it will not be able to stop the ball easily on such greens. The fact that some of the old greens are not as fast as the newly constructed putting surfaces, will need players to maintain their concentration and remain alert to the requirements of each stroke.The defending champion, Harmeet Kahlon, who carded ten-under-par on the weekend to qualify for the final stage of the European tour qualifying school, will miss this tournament as will the winner of the last tournament held at this venue – the 2003 Indian Open champion, Mike Cunning. It is a players prerogative to defend his title, and successfully if possible, but as Shalini Kahlon wrote to me from the European tour, “hopefully we will not see you at the Hero Honda Masters,” as making it to the European tour would be a great bonus for the entire nation as well as the golfing fraternity.
