You must be delighted to back in Macau, site not only of your victory last year but also where you finished second in 2009?
Yes, I have great memories of the place. My win last year, which was my fourth on the Asian Tour, was my first wire-to-wire victory, so there's a lot of positivity around. Macau is definitely one of my favourite destinations, so I'm really looking forward to defending my title and going out there and trying to win it again.
What is it about the Macau Golf & Country Club that suits your eye?
A few things. I love the weather – it's normally quite warm – the greens are what I'm used to and I'm comfortable with the tee shots; some of them are quite tight but I don't have any problems. I've played the Macau Open five times now, so I'm well used to the course and am just confident playing there. I played nine holes today and the rough is a little up from last year. There are some places you really don't want to miss it in.
Were you able to celebrate the win last year by enjoying some of Macau's legendary nightlife, or did you hop straight on a plane to somewhere?
I would have loved to have spent a couple of extra days to celebrate in Macau. But it's always the way for a professional golfer – you never get as much time as you'd like. I went straight on to the Indian Open. But I was able to enjoy the victory, just not in Macau.
As impressive as your victory was in 2012, you didn't have things go all your own way, with your lead whittled down to only a shot down the finishing stretch. You made a good par putt on the 17th before birdying the 18th to seal it, but did any doubts creep in at all over those closing holes?
One shot can win or lose you a tournament. I saw the leader board and saw that some of the players were coming back well – Jonathan Moore in particular, who made five birdies in a row. So there was definitely a bit of pressure. The putt I had on 17 – I was confident of holing it. That was for me the winning putt. I was able to birdie the 18th too, but the 17th was the big one. I was glad I was able to get over the pressure and come away with the win. That's what we all play for.
The Macau Open has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time. Whereas before it was considered one of the Asian Tour's smaller events, it now boasts a new sponsor, a big increase to the prize fund and a very strong field, with Ernie Els and all of Asia's top players here this week. What's your impression of the way things have changed?
It has become one of the strongest tournaments of the year. With Hong Kong and China so close, its popularity has grown and there is a lot of support for it, particularly now that it's live on TV. There's a big sponsor and big players to inspire the viewers and spectators. This is my sixth time here, and I remember when nobody used to follow it. But it's totally different now. Everyone knows about Macau and everyone wants to know what's going on. It's great to see.
You haven't won since last year's tournament, but in September you became only the seventh Indian golfer in history to receive the Arjuna Award, which is awarded by the President of India for exceptional sporting achievement. How big a thrill was that, and how is golf perceived in India today?
That was one fine afternoon. My brother called me saying he'd seen my name announced. It was a huge thrill. It is what every sportsman and sportswoman in India dreams about and it is a really big deal there. I was the youngest golfer to receive the award – the other players who did were in their 30s or 40s – so I think that's a very good thing for the next generation of Indian golfers. Golf is really booming there; so many new courses are being built, the number of new players getting into the game is increasing all the time. It meant a lot for me and for Indian golf.
You're currently third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit despite splitting your schedule between here and the European Tour. What are your goals for the remaining tournaments of the season?
I play to win and I have a lot of expectations for the remaining tournaments ... there are so many big events at this time of the year. I am going to play more in Europe next year, so I'd like to finish as high up the Order of Merit by the end of 2013 as I can.
The new EurAsia Cup – the Ryder Cup-style event between Asia and Europe that will be played next March – must also be on your radar ...
Definitely. I'm very keen and hopeful to be in the side for that. I'm going to have to work hard, but it's something I really want to be involved with. It's a great format and I'd love to be a part of the winning team.
Looking further down the line, are you thinking yet about the Olympics in 2016?
The Olympics is the ultimate for any sportsperson and it's the same for me. I'm going to give it my all to try and get there. I'm the highest ranked Indian golfer, and I'll play the World Cup this year for India, so yes, to be at the Olympics and play well would be a dream.
I have to ask you as seemingly everyone else involved in Indian sport has an opinion, but what have you made of Sachin Tendulkar's announcement that he's retiring from all forms of cricket?
[Laughs] I met Sachin earlier this year and I was asking him what he's planning for next. He seemed prepared to take things a little easier. This day comes for every sportsman. He's 40 years old and is India's most successful ever batsman. He's an absolute idol and hero of mine. Everyone seems a bit sad in India but I'm sure it'll all be fine.