Golf: Singh back in swing to deny Els hat-trick

Vijay Singh

HONOLULU - World No 1 Vijay Singh fired a closing five-under 65 to charge to victory at the US$4.8 million ($6.94 million) Sony Open yesterday, denying Ernie Els a historic third successive title despite a course record-equalling 62.

The winner of nine trophies and more than US$10 million in prize money last year, Singh began the day four shots behind overnight leader Shigeki Maruyama of Japan and went to work quickly at Hawaii's Waialae Country Club with a birdie at the second hole.

The Fijian reeled off three consecutive birdies on nine, 10 and 11 but it was a three-foot putt for birdie on 18 that put him one ahead of Els on 11-under 269, clinching the 25th PGA Tour victory of his career.

Singh's triumph overshadowed a brilliant display from Els, who finished on 270 after his eight-under round.

"I prepared for this pretty well, it's a great way to start the year," said Singh, who has 10 victories in his last 26 starts. "I just hung in there. I had a lot of birdie chances."

When the day began, Els was eight strokes off the lead and appeared to have little hope of making it a hat-trick of Sony Open titles.

But the big South African, who won in Hawaii after playoffs in 2003 and 2004, gave himself a chance with a birdie, birdie, eagle finish.

Singh, who led through three rounds of last week's season-opening Mercedes Championships before faltering badly on the final day, carded a bogey-free closing round this time in difficult, blustery conditions.

"You try to play right through to the final hole," Els said. "You try to finish the golf tournament the best you can."

Maruyama, who grabbed the third-round lead with the help of a hole-in-one, struggled to a one-over 71 yesterday to finish in a tie for third place with American Charles Howell III (67) on nine-under 271.

- REUTERS