Jeev Milkha Singh aims to return to form in Manila Masters

Indian golf star Jeev Milkha Singh hopes to stem the slide in his form, which has seen him fall outside the world's top-1,000, when he takes the field in the $1 million Resorts World Manila Masters starting here Thursday.

From being a top-50 player in the world, the two-time Asian Tour No.1 has fallen on hard times over the past two seasons but the 42-year-old believes he can haul himself back into the winner's enclosure as he prepares to make his debut at the event.

Jeev has previously won two Asian Tour titles in the Philippines.

"It's been about 20 years since I came back here (to the Philippines). I was only about 22 or 23 years old when I last played here. I'm glad to be back after so many years and it's good to have the positive vibes and good memories from the last time I was here," Jeev said Wednesday.

"I hope to build on those and play my best this week," said the winner of the 1995 Philippine Classic and Asian Matchplay Championship.

Jeev believes he can regain his best form again as he did on two other occasions during his career which has gone through several highs and lows.

And with young compatriots Anirban Lahiri and Rashid Khan, both in their 20s, having won twice already this season on the Asian Tour, he said their success has only motivated him to work harder.

"The standard of golf has really improved in Asia. The young kids are hungry for success and they want to prove themselves. They are fearless and it's just great to watch. Seeing young kids like Rashid winning on Tour motivates me. They push me to play well and I would like to do well to compete with them," he said.

"My game's feeling good. The only thing I need to work on is my driving. If it's in place, I think I will have a good week."