‘I could have been disqualified’- Jeev Milkha Singh relives dramatic 2008 Singapore Open win
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Golf legend returns to Sentosa 18 years later as memories and unfinished goals resurface
There are wins, and then there are wins that stay with you.
As Jeev Milkha Singh walked back into Sentosa Golf Club for the 2026 Singapore Open, which is part of the International Series, the memories of 2008 were never far away. That week, he went up against some of the biggest names in world golf and won.
But as he revealed on the sidelines of day one, it almost ended before it even began.
“I would have been DQ’d in the first round”
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Singh’s 2008 victory, where he famously outplayed Major winners including Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington, had a twist few outside knew about.
“I would have been disqualified in the first round,” Jeev said, almost casually, before breaking into the story.
It happened during a rain-hit opening day.
Play had been stopped, restarted, and conditions were messy. On a par-5, playing under preferred lies, Singh marked his ball and unknowingly made a mistake.
“I put my ball down and it moved… and I put it back again. I didn’t realise at that time that I wasn’t allowed to do that,” he explained.
The incident was caught on live television. Singh played on, unaware.
What followed is the kind of story that still surprises him.
“There were highlights being shown all over Asia, and one of the referees in Thailand was watching,” he said.
That referee spotted the violation and acted.
“He told the tournament director, tell Jeev not to sign the scorecard… otherwise he will be disqualified.”
Singh only found out at the last moment.
“As I was going to sign my card, they stopped me and said it’s a one-shot penalty,” he said.
One shot instead of disqualification.
That changed everything.
“I said that’s fine… at least I have a chance to go out and play.”
He did more than just play….
He won.
“Can you imagine? The golfing gods…or that referee in Thailand helped me. Otherwise, I was out of the tournament,” he said, still smiling at the memory.
A win that shaped a generation
For Gaganjeet Bhullar, who was in the field that week, the memory is still vivid.
“I remember it clearly… Jeev Sir was finishing on the 18th while I was finishing on the 9th,” Bhullar recalled.
“I actually saw him hole that putt. We were playing with Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington. That was special.”
For the next generation, that win was more than just a result.
“He did his part… now it’s our turn,” Bhullar added.
“What we learnt from Jeev Sir, we try to pass on to the next generation.”
Back at Sentosa, still chasing one more
Now, 18 years later, Singh is back, older, aware of the physical demands, but still driven.
“It’s good to relive the moment…you get those positive vibes,” he said.
“You feel like, you know what, I can still take these boys on. It’s tough, but at least I try.”
There is still one goal left.
“Before I stop playing on the Asian Tour, I want to win one tournament,” he said.
Not for records. Not for legacy.
Just to prove a point.
“I want to show that age is just a number.”
Looking back, without regret
Singh also reflected on how different the game is today.
“If I had this knowledge in my 20s…I could have been a top-10 player in the world,” he said.
Back then, preparation was guesswork.
“I used to go to the gym but didn’t know what muscles to work on,” he admitted.
Now, everything is mapped out: data, fitness, recovery.
Still, he hasn’t changed much.
“I’m old school. I believe in yoga… and I still do my weights,” said Jeev.
More than just a memory
The 2008 Singapore Open wasn’t just another title. It was a moment where things could have gone wrong and didn’t.
A one-shot penalty instead of a disqualification.
A referee watching from another country.
And a tournament that slipped, then came back.
For Singh, it’s a reminder.
Sometimes, careers turn on the smallest margins.
And sometimes, they stay with you forever.
What happened to Jeev Milkha Singh at the 2008 Singapore Open?
He nearly got disqualified in Round 1 due to a rules violation but received a one-shot penalty instead.
Who helped prevent his disqualification?
A referee in Thailand spotted the incident on TV and alerted officials.
Who were the top players in that event?
Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington were part of the field.
What is Jeev Milkha Singh’s current goal?
He wants to win one more Asian Tour event before retiring.
What is special about Jeev Milkha Singh’s Singapore Open win?
The win is considered one of the most dramatic in Asian Tour history due to the near disqualification and strong competition he overcame.
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