Jeev borrows clubs to defend crown

Jeev borrows clubs to defend crown
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

BANGKOK, OCTOBER 25: India's Jeev Milkha Singh faces the prospect of starting the defence of his Lexus International title here on Thursday playing with a borrowed set of clubs.

The talented Jeev, the first Indian to play on the European Tour, flew in from Los Angeles on Wednesday to discover that his luggage and golf bag had failed to complete the 18-hour journey along with him.

But he was still in buoyant mood going into his first tournament on the Asian PGA Tour since finishing tied fifth at the Malaysian Open in February.``It's great to be back in Asia,'' he said. ``But the bad part is that my golf bag and luggage did not make it here. ``The airline said I should get my stuff early tomorrow (Thursday) morning and I'm praying that they arrive on time for the first round.

``But I'm trying to think of all the positive things about being in Thailand for my title defence.''

The Lexus International, which is the 15th leg on the Asian PGA Tour, has attracted all the leading contenders for the Order of Merit crown. Taiwan's Yeh Wei-tze, the current leader, India's Jyoti Randhawa, Simon Dyson of England, South African Craig Kamps and local hope, Prayad Marksaeng are all in the elite field this week.