Asia’s ‘Three Musketeers’ set for big adventure at Senior Open in Wales

ROYAL PORTHCAWL: If an Asian version of Alexandre Dumas’ masterpiece “The Three Musketeers” was produced today, it would probably feature Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa. They may not wield swords like Athos, Porthos and Aramis, but they can swing a mean golf club.

The trio, often referred to as the “Big Three” of Indian golf, will play this week in The Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales, the final major championship of the highly competitive seniors circuit that features some of the most famous names in the sport. The 144-man field will be battling for a purse of $2.75 million.

For Indian golf lovers, the tournament provides a massive dose of nostalgia.

Singh, Atwal and Randhawa have put Indian golf on the world map. Like the three musketeers, their lives have been a series of adventures. They went to places where none of their compatriots dared to venture. After dominating on the Asian Tour, they were among the first to compete in established tours in the US and Europe.

Jeev, the 52-year-old son of the legendary middle-distance runner Milkha Singh, was the first to start playing in Europe and Japan and is a multiple winner on both Tours. He won two of the biggest tournaments in Europe — the 2012 Scottish Open and the 2007 Volvo Masters at Valderrama. He also remains the highest-ranked Indian player ever when he reached No.28 in the world rankings.

Atwal, 50, is the only Indian to have won on the PGA Tour (2010 Wyndham Championship), while Randhawa has been one of the most consistent performers at home and abroad over the past three decades. Together, they have won over 40 international titles including the Asian Tour Order of Merit award.

Safe to say they have been an inspiration