Jeev tied 37th to miss next yr's ticket, vows quick Masters return

Augusta, Georgia, Apr 9 (UNI) Ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh's debut Masters ended in disappointment as he slumped to tied 37th in the Augusta Nationals on the final day, thereby missed automatic ticket for next year.

The Asian Tour number one was tied 16th on the penultimate day, but a quadruple bogey eight in the opening hole on the final round saw him card seven-over-par 79 and although he birdied his final hole, he ended with a total of 14-over-par 302 in the year's opening Major.

Only top twenty finishers enjoy automatic qualification in next year's competition though the crestfallen Indian vowed to make a quick return to the Masters Tournament.

''I'm really disappointed. I enjoyed everything except for the last round at the Masters but that's alright. Maybe I'll learn something from here. I started off badly and didn't get back into shape after that. That was it,'' said Jeev.

''I couldn't get my focus back after that bad start. I kept trying hard on every shot but I couldn't do anything. I had some bad breaks as well but that's golf,'' said the first Indian to play at the Masters.

Jeev will play in the Verizon Heritage on the US PGA Tour next week but plans to take a break for some soul searching.

''I need to take some time off to sort out some things that are bothering me. My scores in the last round especially have been disappointing this year. I need to sort that out before I get out on the golf course. It's more a mental thing,'' he said.

After missing the green on the opening hole, Jeev's third shot with a chip failed to hold on the green and the ball rolled off into a bunker. He splashed his fourth to the back of the green and two chips and two putts later, the Indian staggered off with a calamitous eight.

Playing alongside Vijay Singh of Fiji, Jeev's wayward driving kept him on the back foot as he dropped two double bogeys and three bogeys against four birdies on the card.

''On the third shot (at the first hole), I should have played more conservatively and hit it on the right side.

I thought the greens were wet as I saw that Vijay's ball pitched but I mishit my third.

''I'm not proud with the way I finished. I'm happy that I made the cut and I would love to come back as I like the course. It's set up perfectly for my game. We'll see what happens next year,'' added Jeev, last year's Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit winner.

''This course suited my game and I love the way it sets up perfect for my game. That's why I'm disappointed with how I finished. I don't normally take things too hard and often take it as another round but this last round hurt me.'' UNI