World Golf Champion... almost!

So.....!!

I get the fruit of resisting to announce the world how my favorite Indian sportsperson was doing after the 1st round!!

Last time when he was leading the field in a Major event (PGA Championship) on the 1st day I had written similar blog only to see him slump on 2nd and 3rd day. Although, he still finished in Top 10 of that event was no lesser achievement.

But this time I bit my tongue this time when Jeev sizzled on the 1st day with a stellar -7 (65) performance with 8 birdies and one bogey. I obviously email my excitement to a few of my friends. 

That this was a WGC (World Golf Championship) event made it equally special as his PGA performance last year. He was playing at the treacherous "Blue Monster" course added the icing on the cake. But most of all this was the event when Tiger was making his stroke play debut of 2009 after the knee surgery, Phil Mickelson was at his 'red hot' best keeping his own old self into the club house before he stepped out, Geoff Oglivy already had pouched 2 events for this year including another WGC event and defending his title here, made the matters all the more glamorous, challenging and very delicious for a golf fan of any nationality. 

He soared even further on the 2nd day till the 12th hole to get into a solo leader position with -12 before he stumbled on to a mini-collapse, giving back 5 strokes in 7 holes :( 

In the earlier 2 outings on the PGA this year he had made such promising starts only to slump on the final few holes. 

But this time it was a different story. Third day he started sizzling on the first hole itself getting start with a scintillating Eagle. He went on to make another one on 12th along with 3 Birdies and blemish it with 3 bogies too. But by then it was a solid -4 round to be tied for 3rd getting into Sunday. 

Phil Mickelson and Nick Watney were the only unsailable figures ahead of him with a daunting lead of 4 strokes. 

The prospect of having an Indian golfer in the limelight and in contention on a serious PGA event on Sunday was better than a dream coming true. I wrote email to those friends of mine to pinch me if possible. 

He didn't loose his calm on Sunday, and kept chipping away. Anytime there was a bogey he didn't let his shoulders drop. Picked himself up to make a birdie. Finally ended up with a solid -2 (70) round to finish solo 4th! Only because he ran into a rampaging Jim Furyk who scored -5 on the back 9. Else he was a solid 3rd for sure. 

Mickelson continued his form to pouch his first WGC title at -19. 

The amount of publicity Jeev got in the American media was quite a treat to watch. Especially on the Sunday he was dedicated a special montage on himself and his illustrious  dad. They also showed Mikha Singh's 64 olympic race where he missed winning the bronze for India. Also his tragic past where he had seen his entire family massacred in front of his own eyes in the 1947 partition.  

His son today may also have come 4th in another World event. But has shown enough promises to give the assurance that he will be finishing much higher next time. 

Indian sport fans, be ready to salute this Padmashri sportsperson for greater achievements. Jiyo Cheeranjiv! We are proud of you!!!