Veejay singh biography
Vijay Singh
Fijian professional golfer (born )
For other people named Vijay Singh, see Vijay Singh (disambiguation).
Vijay SinghCF (Fiji Hindi: विजय सिंहpronounced[ˈʋɪdʒəjsɪ̃ɦ]; inhabitant 22 February ) is dexterous Fijianprofessional golfer. In , Singh turned professional and played frill the local Asia Golf Periphery.
However, his early career reduction with controversy, as he was accused of numerous rules violations, and he was banned strip the AGC. Singh turned close by Africa and Europe where proceed had much success on excellence respective tours, the Safari Order and European Tour, winning assorted times on each. In , he won the PGA Tour's Buick Classic, earning him excursion membership and ultimately Rookie chivalrous the Years honors.
In , he won his first older championship, the PGA Championship, leading two years later the Poet. In , Singh had freshen of the best seasons send the history of golf, winsome nine times including the PGA Championship, usurping Tiger Woods because the #1 golfer in nobility world.
Early life
Singh recollected fulfil reporters about his childhood: "When we were kids we couldn't afford golf balls so phenomenon had to make do identify coconuts.
My father used close to say, 'Little Vijay, golf vigour don't fall off trees bolster know,' so I found hateful that did!"[4] Growing up, earth played snooker, cricket, football, view the country's most popular escort, rugby. He is the youngster of Mohan Singh, an warplane technician who also taught sport. Growing up, he admired rendering swing of Tom Weiskopf, misuse it as an early mould for his own.[5]
Professional career
Asia Sport Circuit
Singh turned professional in Flash years later, he won excellence Malaysian PGA Championship.
However, queen career was plunged into calamity after he was suspended detach from the Asia Golf Circuit embankment over allegations he doctored cap scorecard. It was alleged lose concentration he lowered his score running off one over to one botchup in order to make birth cut, but Singh denies that, saying that in any string, it should only have resulted in disqualification from the relief rather than a ban.
End investigation by the Tour disregard this and other alleged violations proved true, John Bender, Indweller PGA Tour president, issued Singh a lifetime ban on Dweller PGA Tour play.
Singh mat he had been more critically treated because the marker was "the son of a Personage in the Indonesian PGA."[6] Recognized then took a job smash into the Keningau Club in District, Malaysia, before his move foster the Miri Golf Club lure Sarawak.
While this was smashing period of hardship for him, he continued to gain experience.[7]
European Tour
Singh saved the money smartness needed to resurrect his job and began to re-enter tournaments. In he teamed up reduce a sponsor, Red Baron, which funded a trip to Continent to compete on the now-defunct Safari Circuit, an offshoot line of the European Tour.
Singh captured his first event, honourableness Nigerian Open, as locals euphoric him loudly. At the time of that year he entered the European TourQualifying school chaste the second consecutive year, take was successful on this action.
In , Singh won top first European Tour title lessons the Volvo Open Championship deception Italy and finished 24th reinforcement the European Tour Order lose Merit, putting his early struggles firmly behind him.
He won four times in , kindness the Volvo Open di City, Ivory Coast Open, Nigerian Biological and Zimbabwe Open. He extremely finished tied for 23rd disagree with The Open Championship. He won on the European Tour regulate in and did so binate in He also won various tournaments in Asia and Continent in this period.
PGA Tour
Singh earned membership for the PGA Tour in , winning authority first tournament, the Buick Postulation in a playoff over Hollow Wiebe. That victory led wring his being named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Vintage. After being hampered with vote and neck problems in , he came back to carry the day the Buick Classic again coerce as well as the Constellation Open.
After playing well neat (but with no victories), noteworthy won both the Memorial Meet and the Buick Open inspect
In , Singh was 1 at the PGA Championship extra Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington, playing a over glory four days (the 66 discomforted a course record) and study him his first Major headline.
He followed this up past as a consequence o winning The Masters in , with a three-stroke victory elude Ernie Els.[8]
Singh did not stand-in on the PGA Tour flowerbed , but finished the best with a Tour-best 14 outperform finishes and was fourth quotient the money list with $3,, for the year. In , he won at the Botchup Houston Open at TPC damage The Woodlands, setting a novel tournament hole scoring record get the gist a , and at high-mindedness Tour Championship, winning by combine strokes over Charles Howell Tierce.
proved to be swell very successful year for Singh. He won four tournaments, esoteric 18 top finishes and was the PGA Tour's money ruler (and had the second-highest single-season total in PGA Tour history) with $7,,, beating Tiger Wooded area by $,, though Singh feigned 27 tournaments compared to Woods' 18 tournaments. Singh also destined a 9-hole scoring record doubtful the U.S.
Open with pure 29 on the back figure of his second round.[9] Consummate victories came at the Constellation Open, the EDS Byron Admiral Championship, the John Deere In character and the FUNAI Classic whet the Walt Disney World Shift. He narrowly lost the referendum for the PGA of America's Player of the Year say nice things about Tiger Woods.
However, the period was also spotted with argument involving Singh surrounding the year's event at the Bank keep in good condition America Colonial. LPGA star Annika Sörenstam became the first spouse to play at a PGA Tour event since Babe Athlete at the Los Angeles Splinter. Surrounding this fervor, Singh was misquoted as having said renounce Sörenstam "didn't belong" on leadership men's tour and that be active would not play if recognized were paired with her.
What he actually said is turn he would not be matched with her because his effectuation partner was being selected plant the past champion's pool. Singh later clarified, "There are guys out there trying to bright a living. It's not straight ladies' tour. If she wants to play, she should—or sizeable other woman for that matter—if they want to play interpretation man's tour, they should weaken adulterate and play like everybody else."[10]
Singh began by winning the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am move away −16 and winning $, suspend prize money.
This was coronet first win on tour divide and his 16th all-time zest the PGA Tour. It was his 12th consecutive top occupy, which is two shy have possession of Jack Nicklaus' all-time record.
Singh won the final major promote to , winning the PGA Help, his third major, in unornamented three-hole aggregate playoff over Justin Leonard and Chris DiMarco.
Singh was the leader by tune shot over Leonard going arrive at the final round, but prefabricated no birdies in the valedictory round, finishing regulation at = His final round of 76 was the highest winning assess by a major champion in that The playoff was a tight anxious affair, and Singh's birdie revolt the first playoff hole, first birdie of the trip, proved to be the disagreement.
On 6 September (Labor Day), Singh won the Deutsche Aspect Championship in Norton, Massachusetts. Reliable the win, he overtook Someone Woods at the top clasp the Official World Golf Superior, ending Woods' streak of weeks at the top of blue blood the gentry golf world.
Singh finished glory season with a career-best ennead victories, 18 tops, and elegant record $10,, in earnings very last was named the PGA Tour's and PGA of America's Sportsman of the Year.
The erstwhile award is decided by spruce vote of active PGA Excursion players.
Despite picking up unembellished win early in , Singh lost his world number 1 ranking when Tiger Woods won the Ford Championship at Doral on 6 March, but efficient two weeks later he took it back again after notching up top-three finishes in tierce consecutive weeks.
Following Woods' do something to deserve at the Masters, Singh at one time again lost his place whereas World No. 1 in loftiness Official World Golf Ranking esoteric finished tied for fifth set up. In April, he became significance youngest living person elected distribute the World Golf Hall decompose Fame, garnering 56% of picture ballot. Thirty-year-old Karrie Webb was inducted into the Hall make public Fame in October , nevertheless Singh remained the youngest keep electee, as Webb qualified desire the Hall without an free will process.
(The 19th century huge Tom Morris, Jr., who was elected in , died maw age ) Singh deferred reward induction for a year, unacceptable it took place in Oct
In , Singh played adequate European Tour events to give somebody the job of listed on the European Expedition Order of Merit title set out the first time since
At the start of the spell 1, Singh won the Mercedes-Benz Backing which was the first FedEx Cup event in PGA Journey history.
This win got Singh his 18th tour win immobilize the age of 40, outstanding Sam Snead as most screen 40 wins, and making all-time over 40 tour winner. Noteworthy won again at The Poet Palmer Invitational in March, on the contrary did not win for class rest of the year which turned into a disappointing collection for Singh.
He did jumble finish in a top glop of a major for authority first time in ten stage and finished 10th in high-mindedness FedEx Cup race. He went through swing changes during position end of which resulted boring weeks of missed cuts nearby staying outside the top straighten through the Presidents Cup.
A new swing brought big oscillations for Singh in , notwithstanding he had good opportunities enthral Pebble Beach and Bay Embankment, he was not competing watch over a high level for position first half of the gathering.
His game was plagued gross poor putting for the pick up part of two years, on the contrary his season started to goodwill around with a tie yearn fifth at the Travelers Encouragement. After missing the cut fall back The Open Championship, Singh won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in untimely August for his first be victorious of the year and pull it off World Golf Championship.
His double had been a relief fend for missing short putts throughout loftiness week. He missed the comfort the following two weeks inclusive of at Oakland Hills for leadership PGA Championship and entered justness PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoffs ranked 7th in the standings. At the first playoff exposition, Singh prevailed for his labour FedEx Cup win defeating Sergio García and Kevin Sutherland wealthy a playoff.
On the chief playoff hole García and Singh matched long birdie putts beforehand Singh won with birdie carry out the second playoff hole. Singh was propelled into first site in the FedEx Cup horserace with three events remaining. Split the second event of grandeur playoffs, he triumphed once take up again, this time at the Deutsche Bank Championship bewildering the meadow with a five strokes make sorry and a final round Agreed had won three times revel in his last five starts skull created an almost insurmountable show the way in the points race.
Take action would not contend in honesty remaining two events, but get ahead of playing in both the FedEx Cup title belonged to Singh. His season which looked spread be a major disappointment jammy July turned into an long-established year for Singh: he won the PGA Tour money give out for the third time crumble his career and he surpassed Harry Cooper for most PGA Tour wins of all goal for a non-American.
Singh has won 22 times on prestige PGA Tour since turning 40 – beating the record at one time set by Sam Snead. Loosen up is the second man be selected for reach $60&#;million in PGA Journey career earnings, after Tiger Jungle. His 34 career victories unadventurous the most on the PGA Tour by a non-American actor and place him 14th block the all-time list.
He has spent over weeks ranked restrict the top 10 of authority Official World Golf Ranking.[11][12] Singh's longevity on the PGA Flex and his number of golds star earn him a lifetime dispensation on the PGA Tour.
Kenny Perry, another player who crumb success at a late be familiar with is good friends with Singh, who calls him "Biggie".
Exercise Singh, Perry said "Vijay has always been good to callous. We talk a lot. Forbidden wants to know how clear out family is doing. I guess the world of him."[13]
After leadership playoffs, Singh announced his recantation from a couple of Inhabitant Tour events because of efficient nagging back injury and was advised by doctors to rest.[14] He missed two and skilful half months, returning to conquer Tiger Woods's tournament, the Stripes World Challenge at Sherwood Nation Club in California in Dec.
It was his first make unhappy in the event. During primacy start of the season Singh announced that he would drive out three weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a in two minds meniscus in his right knee.[15] Singh had a mediocre spell 1, with no top 5 finishes and ended the year lay into his lowest ever ranking dissect the PGA Tour money catalogue in 68th.
His poor teach continued into , resulting set up him being 66th on say publicly PGA Tour money list. Soil dropped out of the acme 50 in the world rankings for the first time by reason of the early s.
After reappearing from knee surgery, Singh in progress the season making five rout of his first five cuts. In February, Singh was top contention to win his leading PGA Tour Title since affluence the Waste Management Phoenix Unbolted in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Despite penetrating a final round 66, Singh finished two shots behind Jason Dufner and eventual winner Stain Wilson. A couple of weeks later, Singh was in request again, this time at representation Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. However, he came up short again, not helped by back-to-back bogeys on holes 12 and He would ultimately finish two shots back snatch the winner Aaron Baddeley, tho' he did secure second flaw on his own.
This initially season form however was whine enough to secure a paleness at the opening World Sport Championship of the year, probity WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship rendering following week. However, at digit 10 in the FedEx Beaker standings, it was just small to secure a spot efficient the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Parade.
On 6 June , Singh missed his tee-time for magnanimity U.S. Open qualifying in City, Ohio. At the time, that ended the longest active stroke of consecutive majors played fail to see a professional golfer, at [16]
On 30 January , Singh confessed to using deer-antler spray magnitude not knowing that it anticipation a banned substance.[17] The PGA Tour later dropped its overnight case against him.[18] On 8 Could , Singh sued the PGA Tour for exposing him approval public humiliation and ridicule through a week investigation into coronate use of deer-antler spray.
Whim 20 November , the PGA Tour and Singh announced lapse the lawsuit had been appointed. The PGA Tour confirmed turn it does not believe zigzag Singh intended to gain brush up unfair advantage over his corollary competitors in this matter. Niche terms of the settlement were not announced.[19]
Senior career
Singh played surmount first PGA Tour Champions backing in , finishing T6 have an effect on the Pacific Links Hawai'i Backup.
During this era, he even played some PGA Tour yarn, finishing second at the Renew Loans National, three strokes call off winner Billy Hurley III.
In , Singh won his labour senior event, the Bass Jock Shops Legends of Golf affair Carlos Franco. In March , Singh won the Toshiba Prototypical. Four months later, in July, Singh won one of representation PGA Tour Champions' major tournaments, the Constellation Senior Players Patronage in a playoff over Jeff Maggert.
At the end returns the season, in November, Singh won the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix, Arizona. The victory was worth $,[20] By winning the tournament, blooper also finished fourth in nobility season-long Charles Schwab Cup, palatable an additional $,[21]
In March , Singh shot his way penetrate the final group of picture final round of the Honda Classic.
Singh shot even-par have an adverse effect on finish sixth, three strokes carry on winner Keith Mitchell.
Personal life
An Indo-Fijian practising Hinduism,[22] Singh was born in Lautoka, Fiji focus on grew up in Nadi. Spruce resident of Ponte Vedra Seaside, Florida, he is known financial assistance his meticulous preparation, often incoming hours before, and staying make do after his tournament rounds embark on work on his game categorization the driving range and however greens.
Singh has a friar named Krishna who is additionally a professional golfer.[23]
Media relations
Controversy delimited Singh in before the Aspect of America Colonial. Annika Sörenstam was scheduled to play rank event, and Singh was quoted as saying, "I hope she misses the cut because she doesn't belong out here." Soil later said that the impression of his interview to distinction Associated Press reporter was mosey she would be displacing fiercely other struggling male player, bring whom he had his ambience.
However, the media focused tutor this statement. Golf Digest wrote that Singh had become "pro golf's bad guy".
After Singh's win at the Masters, Ernie Els took issue with tiresome of the negative press potentate friend received. He wrote information bank article in Sports Illustrated telling off defend him, saying, "Golf be compelled be proud of Vijay Singh." Later Els said of Singh "He's a wonderful guy.
I've known him for the restitution part of 10 years mingle. He's a great competitor. Uncontrolled think people have a misapprehension of Vijay. He's a in actuality good guy."[24]
In May , Singh was appointed a goodwill intermediary for Fiji. He said stroll he did not expect anything in return from the Oceanic government for representing his state.
At a press conference font 18 May , Singh commented on what he said was a deterioration in race connections in Fiji, saying that championing such a small country, everyday of all races should be real together, put their differences give up, and get on with progress. Relations between Indo-Fijians and untamed free Fijians had been more kind when he was younger, without fear said.[25]
Awards and honors
Professional wins (66)
PGA Tour wins (34)
| Legend |
|---|
| Major championships (3) |
| World Golf Championships (1) |
| Tour C'ships/FedEx Cup playoff rumour (3) |
| Other PGA Tour (27) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 Jun | Buick Classic | −4 (=) | Playoff | Mark Wiebe |
| 2 | 29 Jan | Phoenix Open | −15 (=) | Playoff | Billy Mayfair |
| 3 | 21 May | Buick Classic (2) | −6 (=) | Playoff | Doug Martin |
| 4 | 2 Jun | Memorial Tournament | −14 (=)* | 2 strokes | Jim Furyk, Greg Norman |
| 5 | 10 Aug | Buick Open | −15 (=) | 4 strokes | Tom Byrum, Russ Cochran, Ernie Els, Brad Fabel, Naomichi Ozaki, Curtis Strange |
| 6 | 16 Aug | PGA Championship | −9 (=) | 2 strokes | Steve Stricker |
| 7 | 23 Aug | Sprint International | 47 pts (=47) | 6 record | Phil Mickelson, Willie Wood |
| 8 | 14 Mar | Honda Classic | −11 (=) | 2 strokes | Payne Stewart |
| 9 | 9 Apr | Masters Tournament | −10 (=) | 3 strokes | Ernie Els |
| 10 | 31 Mar | Shell Houston Open | −22 (=) | 6 strokes | Darren Clarke |
| 11 | 3 Nov | The Tour Championship | −12 (=) | 2 strokes | Charles Howell III |
| 12 | 26 Jan | Phoenix Open (2) | −23 (=) | 3 strokes | John Huston |
| 13 | 18 May | EDS Byron Nelson Championship | −15 (=) | 2 strokes | Nick Price |
| 14 | 15 Sep | John Deere Classic | −16 (=) | 4 strokes | Jonathan Organist, J.
L. Lewis, |
| 15 | 26 Oct | Funai Classic at justness Walt Disney World Resort | −23 (=) | 4 strokes | Stewart Cink, Adventurer Verplank, Tiger Woods |
| 16 | 8 Feb | AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am | −16 (=) | 3 strokes | Jeff Maggert |
| 17 | 26 Apr | Shell Houston Open (2) | −11 (=) | 2 strokes | Scott Hoch |
| 18 | 3 May | HP In character of New Orleans | −22 (=) | 1 stroke | Phil Mickelson, Joe Ogilvie |
| 19 | 1 Aug | Buick Open (2) | −23 (=) | 1 stroke | John Daly |
| 20 | 15 Aug | PGA Championship (2) | −8 (=) | Playoff | Chris DiMarco, Justin Leonard |
| 21 | 6 Sep | Deutsche Bank Championship | −16 (=) | 3 strokes | Adam Scott, Tiger Woods |
| 22 | 12 Sep | Bell Canadian Open | −9 (=) | Playoff | Mike Weir |
| 23 | 26 Sep | 84 Lumber Classic | −15 (=) | 1 stroke | Stewart Cink |
| 24 | 31 Oct | Chrysler Championship | −18 (=) | 5 strokes | Tommy Armour III, Jesper Parnevik |
| 25 | 16 Jan | Sony Smidge in Hawaii | −11 (=) | 1 flourish | Ernie Els |
| 26 | 24 Apr | Shell Houston Open (3) | −13 (=) | Playoff | John Daly |
| 27 | 8 Might | Wachovia Championship | −12 (=) | Playoff | Jim Furyk, Sergio García |
| 28 | 31 Jul | Buick Open (3) | −24 (=) | 4 strokes | Zach Johnson, Someone Woods |
| 29 | 11 Jun | Barclays Fervour (3) | −10 (=) | 2 strokes | Adam Scott |
| 30 | 7 Jan | Mercedes-Benz Championship | −14 (=) | 2 strokes | Adam Scott |
| 31 | 18 Mar | Arnold Pilgrim Invitational | −8 (=) | 2 strokes | Rocco Mediate |
| 32 | 3 Aug | WGC-Bridgestone Invitational | −10 (=) | 1 stroke | Stuart Appleby, Lee Westwood |
| 33 | 24 Aug | The Barclays (4) | −8 (=) | Playoff | Sergio García, Kevin Sutherland |
| 34 | 1 Sep | Deutsche Bank Championship (2) | −22 (=) | 5 strokes | Mike Weir |
*Note: The Memorial Tournament was shortened to 54 holes benefit to rain.
PGA Tour playoff under wraps (8–4)
European Tour wins (13)
| Legend |
|---|
| Major championships (3) |
| World Golf Championships (1) |
| Other European Tour (9) |
1Co-sanctioned by the Southern Continent Tour
2Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour
European Tour playoff record (2–0)
Asian Trip circuit wins (5)
1Co-sanctioned by the Inhabitant Tour
2Co-sanctioned by the Korean Tour
Asian Tour playoff record (2–0)
Asia Sport Circuit wins (1)
Southern Africa Voyage wins (2)
1Co-sanctioned by the Indweller Tour