Inverness (Scotland): Jeev Milkha Singh has once again risen like a phoenix. With the Scottish Open win, he is not only richer by over Rs 3 crore, he once again ended a frustrating four-year winless drought with a play-off win against Francesco Molinari at the Castle Stuart Golf Links on Sunday. The win has not only earned the Indian a place at the British Open next week, but will also propel the Chandigarh golfer into top 100 from his current 192nd place when the World Rankings are revised this week.

“I think God has been kind. I'm very fortunate. I would like to thank a lot of people who have been by my side the last three, four years that have been a struggle for me with the injuries: My family, my friend who coaches me, Janet, who was on my bag, my sponsors who stood by me; all of these guys have been great and supported me through a tough time and I want to thank them all for this,” said an honest Jeev, adding that it had been really tough - frustrating than anything else.

“You feel like your game is coming back and another injury creeps up, but I just stuck myself in there and said that you need to work on the physical side, and I worked hard on that. Everything has paid off, and I just want to think about the good things and not what's past and I want to look towards the future now,” revealed the champion golfer after the win.

Jeev is not a man to about his failures. Unlike others, reality is his constant companion and he takes out positives even from a loss coming his way. He knows his capabilities and shies away from exaggerating his achievements. An accomplished son of a legendary father! That’s Jeev Mikha Singh — the only Indian to break into top 50 in world rankings. One of the few success stories of Indian sports, Jeev got hooked to golf in company of father Milkha Singh, who took on to golf clubs after he hung up his running shoes.

After an astounding 2006 season, followed an average 2007 and a superb 2008, things plummeted from bad to worse in the following years. However, 2012 saw the Indian get into rhythm as Jeev managed a few good finishes finally finding glory once again in Scotland where he beat Francesco Molinari in a play-off. Jeev, who also qualifies for The Open, beat Italian Molinari - brother of 2010 champion Edoardo - with a 12 foot birdie putt at the first extra hole.

Jeev had set an early target of 17-under with a 67 and overnight leader Molinari then forced sudden death by holing a nine foot par putt on the last for a 72. Jeev, who on a dream Sunday at Castle Stuart Golf Links also claims a spot in next week’s Open Championship, came from five shots back and joint 16th place for the fourth victory of his European Tour career.

“I was just enjoying a cup of tea and some chocolate cake and watching it on television, and suddenly got excited,” said Jeev- who was three shots behind Warren when he signed his card.

By Indian Sports News Network

Facts & Figures about Jeev Milkha Singh after Scottish Open:

"   His fourth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 273rd European Tour event.

"   Moves to €751,060 in The Race to Dubai.

"   Could move to inside the top 90 in the Official World Golf Ranking from 192nd. 

"   His first European Tour victory since the 2008 Bank Austria GolfOpen presented by Telekom Austria.  A gap of four years and 37 days between victories.

"   In that time has played in 95 European Tour events between victories.

"   This victory beats his previous best performance since his 2008 win of fourth in the 2009 WGC - CA Championship.

"   This victory beats his previous best 2012 performance of tied seventh at the Nordea Masters.

"   Becomes the first Indian to win the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

"   India becomes the 14th different nation to win the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

"   This victory comes in his tenth appearance in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

"   This victory beats his previous best performance in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open of tied ninth in 2008.

"   His five shot final round winning comeback is the largest winning comeback on The European Tour in 2012. He beat the four of Francesco Molinari (Reale Seguros Open de España), Ricardo Santos (Madeira Islands Open - Portugal) and Webb Simpson (US Open Championship).

OTHER FACTS

"    The ninth Indian win in European Tour history.

"   The first Indian to win on The European Tour since S S P Chowrasia at the 2011 Avantha Masters.

"   Moves to the top of the list for most Indian victories on The European Tour with four, moving ahead of Arjun Atwal, who has three.

"   At aged 40, is the third over 40 to win on The European Tour in 2012. He follows Paul Lawrie (43 -Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy) and Thongchai Jaidee (42 - ISPS Handa Wales Open).

"   Moves over €6 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.

"   Claims his 19th win as a professional.

"   Gains a three year European Tour exemption until the end of 2015.

"   Gains a place in the 2012 Open Championship, 2012 WGC - Bridgestone Invitational, 2012 WGC - HSBC Champions and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions.

Courtesy: European Tour