Singh is India’s most celebrated golfer after a breakthrough year in 2006 that saw him win the Volvo China Open and the season-ending Volvo Masters on the European Tour.

It led to him becoming the first Indian to play at The Masters in the United States, having broken into the world’s top 50.

He was rewarded last year with the Padma Shri, the equivalent of a knighthood in Britain, cementing his superstar status in his home country.

“I do enjoy playing at home, there’s always pressure and expectations are high, and I do understand that,” he said, responding to a question about Indian tennis starlet Sania Mirza’s decision this week to pull out of home tournaments.

Mirza, Asia’s number one player, said she found it tough to deal with the pressures and controversies that dog her in India.