Vijay Kumar is Hero Honda
golfer for August

Vijay Kumar, the 'Lion of Lucknow', was adjudged the Hero Honda Golfer for the month for August after his dominating performance in the opening two events of the Southern Swing in the 2002-03 Hero Honda Golf Tour.

The 'Golfer of the Month' award has been instituted by Hero Honda Motors Ltd, the umbrella sponsors of the Indian Golf Tour, and is aimed at acknowledging excellence by an Indian golfer.

After a none-too-impressive 2001-02 season, in which he just won one title on the domestic circuit apart from winning the Indian Open, an Asian PGA Tour event, Vijay is currently second in the Order of Merit with two victories - Hero Honda South and TNGF Open - with earnings of Rs 3,46,000.

Vijay started the season tied with a 16th place in the Royal Springs Open, but then caught fire when the Tour moved down South. He won the Hero Honda South in Bangalore by one stroke and the TNGF Open in Chennai by three strokes.

The 33-year-old pulled out of last week's Color Plus Open after injuring his wrist in the second round.

This is Vijay's second Hero Honda Golfer of the Month award. Earlier, he won the award in March for his triumph in the Indian Open. Digvijay Singh, who won the other two events this season - the Royal Springs Open and the Color Plus Open - won the award for the month of July.

"It feels great to be back on the winner's podium more regularly. It is even more special when your efforts are recognised and I am thankful to Hero Honda for this honour," said Vijay, who is planning to play on the Asian PGA Tour in near future.