Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS) Jeev Milkha Singh has withdrawn from the Casio World Open on the Japan Golf Tour following a lower hip injury.

Jeev, who was two-under for the tournament at the halfway stage and comfortably made the cut, pulled out before the start of his third round Saturday.

The Chandigarh golfer, who has dropped to world no.157 on the back of a season plagued with injury, is expected to undergo a series of MRI scans when he returns to New Delhi on Sunday morning.

The 39-year-old Jeev said: “I have been playing with a slight shoulder injury for some time, aided with intensive physiotherapy sessions. Things were definitely looking better with both my physique, and my form.

“I did not qualify for Dubai World Championship on the European Tour this week and decided to play in Japan, a country I love having spent so many years playing this Tour. I was feeling a little bit of pain in my shoulder, but it wasn’t anything alarming.

“However, after I finished my dinner last night, I just could not get up from the chair. I felt intense pain. I somehow reached my room, but even though I tried to rest, the pain just would not subside.

“This morning, I reached the golf course very early and spent three hours with the very capable physio unit of the Japan Golf Tour, but it did not help and I was forced to withdraw.

“I am very disappointed as I had only a couple more tournaments in my schedule after this, and I was really looking forward to it. It’s even more frustrating because I know I am playing some very solid golf at the moment.

“I am hoping that I will be all right before the Hero Honda Indian Open. However, I can only take a decision on that after I get the results of my MRI scans.”