Singh wins fourth title of year

The Fijian earned $720,000 with his fourth win of the 2003 season and moved to the top of the PGA Tour money list with $6,827,507. His margin of victory was the biggest in the event since 1972 when Jack Nicklaus won by nine strokes.

Singh, who has two wins and six top-five finishes in his last 10 starts, is expected to move to number two when the world rankings are released on Monday. Davis Love III (69) and John Rollins (72) tied for fifth at 18-under 270.

Singh entered the final round tied with Verplank, Cink and Rollins but opened a three-stroke lead over Cink with an outward 33. On the back nine he offset two bogeys with four birdies.

“I don’t think I’ve had this kind of performance ever,” Singh said of his season.

“It’s been going on for a long time. I just hope I don’t wake up from this dream.”

Singh’s strong play began early when he and Cink both made birdies on the par-four second hole to move to 19-under-par and distance themselves by one shot from Verplank and Rollins.

The Fijian slowly took control with back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth to move one shot ahead of Cink at 21-under.

On the back nine, Singh made two miscues where he dropped shots, but the result was never in doubt as he made four birdies for an inward 34. Cink played the back nine in one-under.

“I putted great and hit the ball pretty good off the tees, which you need over here,” said Singh of putting on Bermuda greens. “I think my putter was the one that won the golf tournament, that’s a good feeling.”

Singh averaged 26.5 putts over the four rounds, which tied him for third in the tournament. Combined with hitting 75 per cent of the greens in regulation, Singh was unbeatable.

Since his first win on the PGA Tour in 1993, Singh had never won more than two tournaments in a year prior to 2003.

He also has never won either the money title or the player of the year award, but Singh is poised to win both this year.

“I think I feel number one if I take over the number one spot,” Singh said.

“But I’m playing well now. I’m playing the best that I can play right now. And it’s a good feeling to go out there knowing that you’ve got a chance of winning the golf tournament every time you tee it up. That’s the way I feel.” (Reuters)