Timely return to form for Singh at Barclays
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2006 Barclays Classic | Wrap | 12 Jun 2006
Vijay Singh served notice this week that his US Open hopes are still alive and well when he reversed an ordinary run of form to win the Barclays Classic.
Singh has not won since the Wachovia Championship more than twelve months ago but back on a golf course where he clearly is in his comfort zone, the 43-year-old put together a mistake free final round of 69 to win by two over Adam Scott. This was Singh’s third victory at the Westchester Country Club.
Singh indicated afterwards that he had spent a lot of time at home in Florida over recent weeks working even harder on his game than he usually does. That would indicate that he was burning the midnight oil as most would suggest that it is impossible to practice more then the Fijian does already. Whatever he did however it paid dividends this week. He recorded only six bogeys in the 72 holes with some very solid putting more especially over the last fifty four holes. He has never won a US Open but has often finished well and he can now head down the road to Winged Foot with a lot more confidence than was the case a week ago.
Adam Scott continued what has been a consistent run of form in the US in recent weeks, this being his fourth top four in succession on the USPGA Tour. His missed cut at the BMW Championship at Wentworth was a bit of an aberration but there now appears to be a greater cause for optimism about his chances next week at the US Open. The swing changes he has made to his game this season are now bearing fruit and the putter seemed to be working for him this week rather than against him. It was a rollercoaster round in many respects today. Two eagles, four birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey all added up to one under 70.
Scott holed a 25 foot eagle putt at the last to move ahead of what would have a of a three way tie for second although it was likely his three putt bogey from less than 5 feet at the 14th that kept him from a chance of victory. His double bogey after hitting the wrong club at the par three 16th didn’t help either but he bounced by hitting great tee shots at the 17th and 18th to set up a birdie and eagle to finish.
Scott now heads to Winged Foot with perhaps his greatest chance to contend in a major. He has promised to do well in the past but there is little doubt that he is as well prepared as ever to do well. Time will tell if that is the case.
Third place was shared by the third round leader Billy Andrade and Brett Quigley the latter of whom is playing very well at present and who top qualified earlier in the week at his venue for the US Open next week.
Other Australians included Mathew Goggin who also earned a berth at the US Open earlier in the week and will head to Winged Foot in his best form in recent times. Goggin earned US$155,000 for his 9th place and now moves within striking distance of retaining his card for 2007. He has US$541,000 in 2006.
Geoff Ogilvy, John Senden and Stuart Appleby were 18th, Steve Elkington was 25th, Rod Pampling and Peter Lonard 36th and Nathan Green 47th.
