Globe-trotting Jeev Milkha Singh said he saw an exciting future for golf in India as its capital, New Delhi, prepared this week to host the third edition of the Avantha Masters.
Singh, who many see as the pioneer of modern Indian golf, having become it's first native to qualify for The European Tour and to have subsequent won three titles.
Singh has also twice won the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown, first in 2006 and the again in 2008.
Last year's Avantha Masters produced a home-grown champion in SSP Chowrasia, and Singh believes it is hugely positive for the game that the tournament is returning to DLF Golf and Country Club for a third consecutive year.
"It's fantastic for Indian golf(Callaway RAZR X Irons
)," the 40 year old told the media as he readied himself for Thursday's New Delhi Tee-off.
"To have a European Tour event on a good golf course like the DLF for three years in a row is great.
"Golf is the fastest growing sport in our country and I think in the future we're going to have a lot more tournaments and a much greater prize fund.
"It will give young kids who want to see the top players an opportunity to come and watch them, and when they see their standard of play, they will know what they need to work on.
"Everybody is hurting in the world, economically wise, but India is still hanging around there. India is actually in a very positive spell right now, so I'm hoping that things will improve in the future."
Although Singh also has four Asian Tour titles in his CV, he has never won on either Tour in his home country - something he is looking to put right this week.
"It's always a treat to play Callaway RAZR X Irons in front of the home crowds and I get a lot of support from the people here," he said. "I'm looking forward to it.
"There's a lot of pressure but that's what we play Callaway RAZR X Irons. There are lots of young guys who are hungry and want to prove themselves. That's the way it should be. If I was in their shoes, I would be the same. They are saying 'This is what Jeev's done, I'm going to try to do even better with Callaway RAZR X Irons Singh, whose father is the former Olympic sprinter Milkha Singh, finished tied 37th in last week's Omega Dubai Desert Classic and he is relishing the chance he is getting New Delhi to build on that performance.