Jeev''s early exit takes the sheen off the event

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 14

The Chandigarh Golf Club wore a deserted look today, despite hosting nation's best golfers in the ongoing TAKE Open Golf Championship; reason Jeev Milkha Singh's absence.  The star of the tournament Jeev missed the cut by one stroke after ending his day-two on the total of 3-over-147. He finished tied at the 54th position. For the first two days, Jeev's presence attracted a large number of fans to watch him play at his home turf. But on the third day, CGC wore a deserted look as his absence from the greens pulled only few here. 

“He is the star of this club. On usual days, when he  comes here around 50 to 60 people watch him play. For the first two days, the parking was full. But today, it seems that the tournament is already over. Even the local caddies are not excited," said Suresh, a caddie, watching Shubhankar Sharma's last-hole finish. 

During the day there were only a handful of spectators supporting 18-year-old golfer Karandeep Kochhar. He ended his day on the tied-4th position. 

“Jeev is like a role model for me and for every member of this club. His absence is surely disheartening and there is no doubt that he is a crowd puller. Not only CGC members, caddies also like to see him play on his home turf," said Kochhar.