It was Jeev's perseverance which helped him win the Volvo China Open and break a seven-year title drought, the golfer's father Milkha Singh said.

"Jeev was struggling for seven years, but now he is in good form. I always advised him to keep working hard and maintain discipline. Finally, his perseverance has given him fruit," the 'Flying Sikh' said in Chandigarh on Monday.

Milkha Singh said he had spoken to Jeev, who won the 1.8 million-dollar prize money event in Beijing [Images] on Sunday, two to three times over phone after his win by a single stroke.

"The family was not hoping that Jeev would pull it off, but the keenly contested event finally went his way," he said, adding that now they are all happy and celebrating and praying for his success in future tournaments.

Asked what tips he had given to Jeev during the days he was not doing well, he said, "I have been telling him all along that I participated in 80 international races, out of which I won 77.

"There is no short cut to success and you have to toil really hard, especially now that the competition is so stiff."

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Milkha Singh said that Jeev had done the country proud, adding that Chandigarh had produced many promising golfers including Harmeet Kahlon, Amardeep Johan and Irina Brar.