DESPITE his Asian No. 1 status, Jeev Milkha Singh considers his dad a bigger figure than him in India.

And the new No. 1 believes that he can 'sit at the same table with my father' only if he wins a golfing Major, reported asiantour.com.

The Indian star who wrapped up his campaign at the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia 11 days ago, set out his next goal: to challenge for one of the four most prized trophies in world golf.

The son of the famous Milkha Singh, who is a decorated Olympic runner for India (finishing fourth in the 400 metres at the 1960 Games in Rome), said that despite his golfing achievements over the past three seasons, he still feels he has yet to measure up to his father's iconic status.

'Dad is still a bigger name than me in India,' said Jeev with a smile.

'A Major under my belt, then I can sit at the same table as him.

'Coming from a sporting family (his mother was also the captain of the national volleyball team), my father always emphasised discipline, work ethic and honesty.

'I've had positive feedback from my parents and that has helped get me to where I am today. My wife Kudrat has also been very supportive.'

He added that 2008 was his best year in his golfing career.

'In 2006, I also had four wins but I rate this season better due to my performances in the Majors.

'It has given me a lot of confidence and I'm more comfortable and confident when I'm under pressure.

'I know my swing is better and that has taken me further up in my game,' said Jeev.

The 37-year-old made history by becoming the first player to win over US$1 million ($1.4m) in a single season on the Asian Tour, thanks largely to his stunning triumph over a world-class field at the Barclays Singapore Open in November.

Good year

He registered two other runner-up finishes in Indonesia and South Korea in a stellar season which also saw him triumph once in Europe and twice in Japan to rise to his current career-high 36th place in the Official World Golf Ranking.

In addition, he finished tied-25th at the US Masters and posted a career-first top-10 in a Major by finishing equal-ninth at the US PGA Championship.

'Winning the Order of Merit twice in three years is special. It has given me a lot of confidence as I've proven myself again and you then try to move on to bigger things,' said Jeev, who was also the region's top player in 2006.

'I think I've got the game to win a Major. I feel it all depends on the mindset that week and how you deal with the pressure.

'A lot of it comes down to the short game. I feel I do have the game and hopefully before my golfing career is over, I will have a Major under my belt,' said Jeev.

Jeev plans to scale down his playing schedule in 2009 after competing in over 35 events each season around the globe, so much so that he should inherit his father's nickname as the 'Flying Sikh'.

As the saying partly goes, there will be no rest for the wickedly talented as Jeev has already engaged a physical trainer to start work with him as part of his plan to challenge for Major honours.

'I need to get fit in 2009. I've had a lot of injuries. I have put on weight as I normally run a mile a day but I've been unable to do so with my ankle injury since June. My main goal over the next six months is to get fit,' said Jeev.

He also looked back at his career which started in Asia way back in 1995 and was proud to see the Asian Tour grow to record levels where this season, an unprecedented 30 events with an all-time high US$39 million was on offer to the region's talented players.

WORLD RANKINGS

1. (1) Tiger Woods (US) 11.97 average points

2. (2) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 8.10

3. (3) Phil Mickelson (US) 7.03

4. (4) Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 6.95

5. (5) Vijay Singh (Fiji) 6.65

6. (6) Robert Karlsson (Sweden) 5.09

7. (7) Camilo Villegas (Colombia) 4.90

8. (9) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 4.77

9. (8) Ernie Els (South Africa) 4.76

10. (10) Lee Westwood (Britain) 4.73

11. (12) Anthony Kim (US) 4.45

12. (11) Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 4.44

13. (13) Jim Furyk (US) 4.30

14. (15) Kenny Perry (US) 3.89

15. (14) Steve Stricker (US) 3.87

16. (16) Stewart Cink (US) 3.85

17. (17) Adam Scott (Australia) 3.80

18. (18) KJ Choi (South Korea) 3.75

19. (19) Justin Rose (Britain) 3.58

20. (20) Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 3.40

Last week's positions in brackets