Vijay sets the record straight at Sony Open
IN: News | US PGA | Sony Open in Hawaii (2005) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 17 Jan 2005
Vijay Singh's win today at the Sony Open in Honolulu today has overcome what, by his standards, has been an ordinary record at the Waialae Country Club. In his previous five visits to the event his best finish had been 10th which many would be content with, but not the number one golfer in the world. It was not so much that he had played poorly here, in fact an analysis of his round by round form is not all that bad, but he had not been able to finish the event off to his liking. Perhaps in the past it had been too early in the year for him. "I like the golf course," said Singh after the win, "but it has been a case of not being able to put it all together here."
After letting a great opportunity slip last week when he triple bogeyed the 13th hole on Sunday at the Mercedes Championship, Singh was determined that would not happen again. "I worked very hard on my driver this week to ensure that the bad drive that cost me last week would not reappear," Singh added. Not only did it not reappear, but it was his driving today that may well have what won the tournament for him.
After driving the ball with limited accuracy for most of the week, albeit it in difficult windy conditions, today Singh was brilliant from the tee and gave himself countless opportunities when it mattered. After reaching the lead in the tournament briefly when he birdied the 11th today, he continued to create opportunities over the closing holes, but it was not until the 18th, when he hit a massive drive over the left trees and bunkers, that the chance to take the outright lead looked a distinct possibility.
His second, with a utility wood, came to rest just off the front right of the green and from there he was able to pitch to less than three feet and then hole that for the birdie that would take him ahead of Ernie Els and Shigeki Maruyama at that point. Maruyama was not able to get the extra birdie he need to draw level with Singh, in fact he went in the opposite direction with yet another bogey at the 14th, and he would be forced to settle for a share of third with Charles Howell III.
Singh had not been in serious contention until the time that it counted most, namely at the winning post. Neither for that matter had Els but like the two champions they are, they put sensational last rounds together when they needed to. For Els, looking to win this event for the third consecutive year, he put up one mighty effort. He putted beautifully on the final day (22 putts) following a change of putter and technique over the weekend. "It is another Scotty Cameron but it had a little more loft and was heavier and it worked," he said later.
When Els reached the 16th tee at four under for the day and six under for the tournament, he was at that point five behind and knew that he needed something special over the closing holes to have any chance. "Something special" is all part of the Els game and when from 158 yards he knocked it to ten feet behind the hole it was on. In that went and then at the par three 17th he hit his tee shot to just four feet and another birdie set up the almost unthinkable.
If he could eagle the last he could get into a share of the lead and although those playing behind had some good chances out there over the closing stages, this was after all the closing few holes of a PGA Tour event and anything could happen. A brilliant tee shot at the 18th set up a three iron second which covered the flag all the way and came to rest twenty feet behind the hole. The putt never looked as if it was going anywhere else and Els had a share of the lead and a wait to see what would transpire. In the end Singh ended his long wait, but the 62 he shot on day four equalled the course record and will give a great boost for what promises to be a fascinating event next week at the Buick Invitational.
Maruyama and Charles Howell shared 3rd with Maruyama providing plenty of excitement for his large fan base in Hawaii. There are many Japanese residing in Hawaii and many on golfing holidays there, so there was a larger gallery watching the final group of Maruyama and Quigley than could normally be expected in a USPGA Tour event on the mainland. Howell has played well at this event previously finishing 4th in 2002.
For the Australasians it was a week that promised much but delivered much less. Sixteen lined up at the start of the week, Rod Pampling's withdrawal being offset by the late inclusion of New Zealander Michael Long. Only four of the down under brigade would make the cut however, with Adam Scott the best of them in 20th place. Scott's last round of 72 was a struggle with no birdies and two bogeys over the closing nine.
Craig Parry had another solid week finishing 28th, Steve Allan was 47th and Paul Gow 78th.
The USPGA Tour now heads to the North and South courses at Torrey Pines near San Diego for the Buick Invitational where Singh, Woods, Els and Mickelson head a star cast. It should be a beauty.
