Golf Veterans Jeev Milkha Singh and SSP Chawrasia Defy Age, Challenge Kapil Dev's 'Past Prime' Remark
In a spirited rebuttal to PGTI president Kapil Dev's suggestion that veteran golfers like Jeev Milkha Singh, Shiv Kapur, and SSP Chawrasia are 'past their prime', the seasoned players have emphatically defended their competitive edge and ongoing relevance in the sport. The controversy stems from Dev's comments, which have sparked a lively debate about age and performance in professional golf.
Jeev Milkha Singh: Proving 'Baap Baap Hi Hota Hain'
The 54-year-old Jeev Milkha Singh recently broke a 13-year title drought at the IGPL Invitational in Sri Lanka, outsmarting younger competitors on the leaderboard in Colombo. This victory came after a playful challenge from his 15-year-old son, Harjai, who during Christmas week last year told his father, 'Aab aapka time ho gaya' (Your time is up now).
Jeev recalled responding with 'baap baap hi rahega' (the father will always be the boss), a sentiment he reinforced after his win, telling his son again 'baap baap hi hota hain' with a hearty laugh. A symbol of longevity, Jeev continues to traverse continents, silencing doubters. 'Honestly I have no reaction to Kapil's opinion, it's a democratic world but, to me, age is just a number,' he stated.
From February 20th, Jeev begins an ambitious schedule, racing against time with the Marbella Legends tournament in Spain. He plans to play over 30 tournaments this season: 15 on the European Legends Tour, 12 on the Japan Seniors Tour, three to four on the Asian Tour to assess his fitness against younger players, and two to three on the IGPL. 'And all the while, the ambition is to win and stay healthy. If others can do it, why not me?' he asserted, citing Bernhard Langer, who at 68 is still winning, as his benchmark. Jeev sees himself swinging competitively for another decade.
SSP Chawrasia: Still Competitive and Focused on Winning
SSP Chawrasia, 47, was caught off guard by the suggestion that he might be yesterday's news while hitting balls at the Royal Calcutta Golf Course in perfect weather. 'I don't believe that because I'm still playing on the Asian Tour, Jeev won a tournament last year, I'm still competitive and my focus is on winning in Asia. We are not retired,' he emphasized.
Chawrasia pointed out that the Asian Tour has a better field than PGTI, adding, 'To be honest, the Asian Tour has a better field than PGTI. I'm not saying anything against him (Kapil) but I fail to understand his opinion.' His remarks highlight a disconnect between Dev's view and the on-ground reality of these players' ongoing achievements.
Shiv Kapur: Class is Permanent
Dubai-based Shiv Kapur, currently designing a nine-hole golf course near Lonavala, welcomed Kapil Dev's remark that 'there is room for two leagues in India.' 'I have a great deal of respect for paaji. That's his opinion. I've been playing professional golf for 22 years now,' Kapur said.
Drawing parallels with cricket, he noted, 'Is Rohit Sharma at the prime of his career? No, but he's still competitive. When MS Dhoni shows up at IPL, he's still competitive. So, when I talk about people like Jeev or SSP, I would say that class is permanent.' Kapur, who grew up on the Delhi Golf Club greens, underscored the enduring quality of experienced athletes.
This exchange underscores a broader conversation in sports about aging athletes and their ability to remain competitive. With Jeev's packed schedule, SSP's focus on Asian Tour success, and Kapur's design ventures, these veterans are proving that passion and skill transcend age, challenging perceptions and inspiring future generations in Indian golf.
