Harjai Milkha Singh on Carrying the Milkha Legacy, Lessons from Father Jeev and His Climb to Junior Golf No. 1 - Exclusive

At just 15, Harjai Milkha Singh has already carved a remarkable niche for himself in Indian junior golf. India's current No. 1 in the under-18 category, Harjai carries not just an illustrious surname but also the discipline, routine and relentless work ethic that have defined the sporting legacy of the Milkha Singh family for three generations.

Training between Chandigarh and Dubai, mentored by ace coach Jesse Grewal and inspired by World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Harjai has grown up in an environment where excellence isn't demanded - it's simply the way of life.

Harjai's golfing journey began at the age of six in 2016, when he took to the sport alongside cricket and football. Much like his father, who had started playing golf after watching Milkha

Singh enter the Chandigarh Golf Course, Harjai found his early curiosity turning into passion.

Within just a year, he won the Milkha Junior Challenge sub-junior title and finished third at the US Kids Golf World Championships in Malaysia, where his father Jeev caddied for him. Over time, he continued to grow, winning the U-13 category at the US Kids Golf European Championship in 2023 and even competing at the Jersey Legends Cup at La Moye Club in the Channel Islands, where he finished fourth among amateur golfers.

These competitions, along with his appearances on the PGTI and Indian Golf Premier League circuits as an amateur, gave him exposure to senior fields and helped shape his rapid development.

The year 2025 established Harjai as the dominant force in Indian junior golf. A student of Strawberry Fields High School, he started the season with a title at the IGU Southern India Juniors in Coimbatore, followed by strong wins at the IGU Northern India Amateur in Panchkula, the IGU Gujarat Juniors in Ahmedabad, and the RCGC Junior Championship in Kolkata.

Over twelve tournaments, he collected a total of 468 points, with 357 counting from his best eight events, helping him secure the prestigious Indian Golf Union Order of Merit (Boys) title.

Speaking to myKhel, Harjai described the past season as immensely satisfying. He said he was pleased with how solidly he played throughout the year, mentioning his four wins along with a runner-up and third-place finish. He expressed his gratitude to the Indian Golf Union for organizing a robust domestic season, acknowledging that twelve events in a year is a demanding but commendable schedule.

Reflecting on that successful run, Harjai said the year felt immensely rewarding. "It was a pretty good season," he told myKhel. "I played really solid golf the entire year. I won four times, came second once and came third once. "

"I really like to thank IGU for all the support they gave for all the events," he said, speaking with the ease of someone who understands the effort behind a full competitive season.

He also thanked the tournament directors, referees and support staff who ensure that junior tournaments are conducted in a professional and inspiring environment. "Twelve events a year is a hard task and they do pretty well to do them. I also want to thank a lot of the TDs and all the referees and the staff at IGU. "

When asked about turning professional, Harjai maintained a mature and patient stance. He believes he will continue competing as an amateur for another year to year and a half before considering a transition to professional golf. While many young golfers today take the leap earlier, Harjai wants to be fully prepared and play enough amateur golf to build the right foundation before stepping into the professional arena. "I think I'll play amateur for the next year, year and a half," he explained. "Then I'll try and turn pro after that. "

Much of this maturity stems from the lessons he has learned from his father, a golfer with vast international experience across the British Open, European Legends Tour, Japan Senior Tour, IGPL and Asian Tour.

Harjai spoke warmly about the influence Jeev has had on him. "He's taught me a lot since I was a kid," he said. "Just stay patient, stay humble, try and follow my process on most golf shots. That's about it. " These simple but profound principles have become the foundation of Harjai's competitive temperament.

Discussing his game, Harjai noted how his overall skill set has strengthened significantly but emphasised that the biggest leap has been mental. "Everything has improved substantially," he said. "But the main thing is my mental frame. I've gotten a lot better at handling pressure and handling tournaments at end moments. " This composure under pressure has increasingly become one of his defining traits on the course.

A key factor in his growth has been his training routine with coach Jesse Grewal. "I train once or twice a week," he said, adding that the coaching partnership continues even when he is travelling. "Whenever I'm outside, I take online lessons with him or phone call, video calls-really helpful at times. " This flexibility has allowed him to maintain continuity even during packed tournament schedules.

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Harjai is preparing for a new phase of his career. "This year I'm going to be playing amateur golf, not junior golf," he said, outlining his transition. "I'll be trying to become number one amateur, and that'll be the goal for the year. " He also plans to compete in major international events, adding, "I think I might go for the R&A Boys and the US Junior Boys, so there are a few goals in mind. "

For the new year, Harjai keeps his resolution simple and purposeful. "Just to practise harder and work more and get better," he said, a reminder that even with a significant season behind him, his focus remains on steady progress.

In Harjai Milkha Singh, Indian golf has found a young athlete who exemplifies a blend of legacy and potential, discipline and ambition. As he continues to shape his journey with remarkable clarity, supported by the guidance of his father and coach, the future of Indian golf appears firmly in capable hands. The process that he values so much is already in motion-and the results are beginning to follow.