Jeev Milkha Singh will make his first appearance at a Major since 2012 at next week’s US Open after the Indian got a late call for Oakmont Country Club following the withdrawal of fellow European Tour Member Thongchai Jaidee.
It will be the four-time European Tour winner’s fifth appearance at the year’s third Major Championship and his 13th appearance in golf’s big four tournaments, his best finish a share of ninth place at the 2008 US PGA Championship.
Singh missed out initially after being eliminated from a five-man play-off at the third extra hole in the US Open International Sectional Qualifier at Walton Heath last week.
The 44 year old was delighted to have eventually got the call though, even if it meant skipping a planned holiday in New York.
“I am really excited about it,” he said. “Obviously I was very disappointed when I lost out in the play-off at Walton Heath but you never know what will happen, I was alternate and now I’m fortunate enough to be playing my fifth US Open and I’m really looking forward to it.
“My mindset now is, hey I’ve been given a chance here, I might as well make the best of it so I’m going to give it a try out there. The most important thing in a Major Championship is to stay patient and that’s what I’m going to work on because that’s the test out there for the players.
“If I can stay patient and handle myself well with the bad shots – because you’re going to have some bad breaks and go hard on yourself – if I can stay calm, I think it’s going to be a good week.
“I was going to New York with my family for a holiday but my plans have changed for the better and now the holiday is going to be at Oakmont, walking the fairways before I come back for the BMW International Open.”
The US Open is always renowned for providing hugely testing golf courses for the world’s best players, and Singh – who played at Oakmont the last time the tournament was played there in 2007 – is relishing another major challenge at the Pennsylvania venue.
“What I remember for sure about Oakmont was that it is very tough,” he said. “I think Phil Mickelson played out there two or three days ago and the comment he made was it is one of the toughest golf courses ever played.
“I’m sure it’s tougher than when I played in 2007 but I love challenges and I think it’s going to be a test of patience and a marathon out there so I’m looking forward to it.
“With so many people watching, you’re definitely nervous on the first tee but you’ve got to take it in the positive sense and that’s how I take it. They’re out here to watch us so you might as well go out there and make the most out of it.”
