J. Singh makes the Volvo Masters of Asia last '08 event

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Jeev Milkha Singh won the Nippon Series Cup last week in Japan.

BANGKOK, Thailand -- New Asian No. 1 Jeev Milkha Singh will bring down the curtain on his record-breaking year at the Volvo Masters of Asia next week, organizers confirmed today.

Singh wrapped up the Asian Tour's Order of Merit title for the second time with a dramatic victory over Major winners Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson at the $5 million Barclays Singapore Open in November and an 11th-place finish at the following week's UBS Hong Kong Open.

The 36-year-old Indian raced past long-time leader Mark Brown of New Zealand with winnings of $1,447,481 -- the first player to break through the $1 million barrier in a single season.

Singh, who also triumphed in Japan last weekend to move up to No. 36 in the Official World Golf Ranking, has been courted by organizers to compete in the South African Open but has chosen to play in the Volvo Masters of Asia at Thai Country Club from Dec. 18-21.

"I am going to be there for the Volvo Masters of Asia," said Singh. "I will miss the South African Open, which is my sponsor's event, but I want to be in Thailand to play the tournament and pick up the Order of Merit award at the gala dinner on the Sunday night."

Singh was not eligible to play the season finale last year but finished tied for sixth in 2006 to confirm his position as Asian No. 1.

"I have very good memories from 2006 when I was crowned Order of Merit champion after the Volvo Masters of Asia ," added Singh, who won the Volvo Masters on the European Tour in 2006. "Thai Country Club is an excellent golf course. I love it the way the golf course sets up, and I am keen to play there again.

"It will be fantastic to play the season-ending event on the Asian Tour, especially as the new Asian No. 1. The Tour means so much to me; it was where I started out."

Singh will be looking to give himself a belated birthday present as he turns 37 on Dec. 15.

The Indian's win on Sunday in the Nippon Series JT Cup was a valiant and emotional one as his wife Kudrat delivered their first child stillborn in Japan. Singh wanted to withdraw from the event, but, at his wife's insistence, he carried on playing.

"I will dedicate this win to my wife. She is healthy now and better things are on the way," Singh told the media.

It's been an outstanding season on the golf course for Singh as he also won the Sega Sammy Cup in Japan and the Bank Austria Golf Open.

His performances in the Majors have also been eye catching. For the second year in a row, he made the cut in the Masters and tied for 25th, while, arguably his finest ever week since turning professional in 1993 came when he tied for ninth in the PGA Championship -- where he was the first-round leader

He is guaranteed starts in all four majors next season.

Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, who -- like Singh -- has had a wonderful season with three wins on the Japan Golf Tour including the prestigious Dunlop Phoenix last month, will defend his title against the top 65 finishers on the Asian Tour.

Commenting on the news that the Volvo Masters of Asia will proceed as planned following recent political problems, Per Ericsson, President & Chief Executive Officer of Volvo Event Management said: "Everyone associated with Volvo is delighted that the Volvo Masters of Asia has been given the 'green light' and will be able to go ahead as scheduled."

He added: "Now, for the seventh successive season, the Volvo Masters of Asia will be able to draw the Asian Tour season to its characteristically high-class climax, and I am especially pleased for the players who have worked so hard to earn their place in the elite field and also those Thai spectators to whom the event has become a firm favorite in the sporting calendar."

The Volvo Masters of Asia, which is being staged at the Thai Country Club for the fourth straight year, is the Asian Tour Championship and a favorite with the players.