Emotional Singh dedicates win to wife
India's Jeev Milkha Singh overcame personal tragedy to win the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup today and dedicated the two-stroke win at the event to his wife only days after she gave birth to their stillborn child.
With his wife recovering from the ordeal of delivering their first child, Singh initially decided to pull out of the tournament but was urged to play and went on to win by two shots from defending champion Brendan Jones, David Smail and Taichi Teshima after carding a final-round 66 to finish 12-under.
Singh, the 36-year-old Singapore Open winner, missed Wednesday's mandatory Pro-AM but was given special permission to play in the tournament proper by organisers.
"I dedicate this win to my wife for being strong enough to tell me to go and play on the Thursday morning," Singh said in a statement.
"A lot happened in my family over the last few days and we have gone through quite a bit. Besides my wife, I want to dedicate this win to the family members from both my and my wife's sides.
"It was God's will and I am sure there is something better for us. Already God has been very kind to us with this win.
"I would also like to thank (caddie) Janet Squire for keeping me busy on the golf course. She has been a close friend and kept talking a lot to me to keep my mind away from other things.
"She has been excellent for me through this season and even more so now."
Singh, a four-time winner this season, finished just outside the top 10 at last month's Hong Kong Open and has already wrapped up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title for a second time ahead of the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia starting on December 18.
Teenage prodigy Ryo Ishikawa and overnight leader Toshinori Muto shared fifth place at eight-under.
Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng held the overnight lead at nine-under alongside Muto following a third-round 63 but finished seven shots off the pace in seventh after a final-round 74.
