Jeev Milkha Singh’s win over a world-class field at the Barclays Singapore Open shows the strength of the Asian game.

The Indian star produced an impressive one-stroke victory over Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els at Sentosa Golf Club to seal his third victory of the season globally and virtually clinched the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit title for the second time in three years.

Singh also became the first player in the Asian Tour’s history to earn over US$1 million in a single season, which Asian Tour’s Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said reflected the continued expansion of the game across the region.

Asian Tour stalwart David Gleeson of Australia finished fourth in the US$5 million championship, Asia’s richest national Open, Korea’s Charlie Wi was sixth while talented Thai Chapchai Nirat, the third round leader, settled for tied seventh place in a field that also included world number three Phil Mickelson of the United States.

“I would like to extend our congratulations to Jeev Milkha Singh for his outstanding victory in the Barclays Singapore Open,” said Han. “The victory cemented Jeev’s stature as a truly world-class player and the manner in which he won at Sentosa underlined his growing credentials in the world of golf.”

“Over the years, Jeev has been a wonderful ambassador for the Asian Tour, winning titles in Europe and Japan this year as well. Through the Asian Tour, Jeev has grown to become a terrific player and I am convinced he will go on to win many other big championships and also contend and win Major events in the years to come.”

He was also delighted to see history being written at Sentosa, home of the Asian Tour, where Singh raised his season’s earnings to an unprecedented US$1.4 million. He also dislodged Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee as the leader of the career earnings in Asia, taking his tally to US$2.45 million.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Jeev as our first million-dollar man in a single season on the Asian Tour. Part of our mission is to create greater playing opportunities for our members and through this historic landmark, it reinforces the strength of the game in Asia.”

“I am convinced that Jeev’s success will inspire other young players across Asia to emulate his success,” said Han.

Han also congratulated Gleeson and the other Asian Tour stars who excelled against many of the best players in Sentosa, saying it was a wonderful reflection of the rising standard of the game in Asia.

“Many of our players challenged for honours against many of the best players in the world in a truly world-class venue, which received rave reviews from the star players. Players like David Gleeson, Chapchai Nirat and Lam Chih Bing of Singapore produced wonderful performances that will enhance not only their games, but also the belief that the Asian Tour has helped produced great champions like Jeev.”