Vijay Singh kept pouring in birdie putts, 35 feet on one hole and 60 feet on the next, as cheers turned from disbelief to sheer amazement.
That might be the last bit of excitement for this edition of the FedEx Cup.
Despite a volatile new points system designed to give more players a chance, Singh took the suspense out of the PGA Tour Playoffs with an 8-under 63 yesterday to win the Deutsche Bank Championship at Norton, Mass., in record fashion. It was his second straight victory, giving him such a large lead that he could wrap up the $10 million prize before the Tour Championship.
“Right now, my focus is going to be next week, and see if I can wrap it up,” Singh said.
A year ago, Tiger Woods drained the drama from the postseason by tying for second at the TPC Boston, then winning the final two events.
Singh has been even more impressive.
He won The Barclays in a three-man playoff last week, convincing himself that he was the best putter in golf. He made even more believers on a gorgeous Labor Day south of Boston, making birdie putts of 35 feet, 60 feet and 35 feet on the back nine to turn this into a runaway.
“He played amazing. It was awesome,” said Sergio Garcia, who was paired with Singh and closed with a 72. “I don't think you guys are going to realize how good that was, because you aren't playing and you don't know how tough the course was playing.”
Singh set tournament records with a five-shot victory over Mike Weir (71), finishing at 22-under 262, breaking by two shots the record set by Adam Scott in 2003. He collected $1.26 million, enough to finally replace Woods atop the money list at over $6.4 million. Woods has not played since season-ending surgery after the U.S. Open.
Singh won for the third time in five weeks, and it should move him to No.
3 in the world ranking.
Local golf
Rancho Santa Fe's
Jamie Lovemark has been selected as one of three players to represent the U.S. in the 2008 Men's World Amateur Team Championship, to be played Oct. 16-19 at Royal Adelaide Golf Club in Australia. Lovemark, of USC, joins Murrieta's
Rickie Fowler (Oklahoma State) and
Billy Horschel (Florida).
It was previously announced that the Women's Amateur Team Championship also will be played in Adelaide, and the U.S. squad includes Rancho Bernardo High alum Tiffany Joh.
Jay Rains, who led San Diego's effort to host the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, has received this year's Robert Breitbard Award from the San Diego International Sports Council. Rains, an attorney who lives in La Mesa, served as co-chairman of the U.S. Open and is a vice president in the U.S. Golf Association.
Hannah Kim, 12, of San Diego last week won the 11-12 Division in the Mutual of Omaha Drive, Chip and Putt National Championships in Celebration, Fla. Boys and girls compete in the same divisions, and Kim became the first female since 2005 to capture the national title in any division. More than 6,500 junior golfers participated in local qualifiers leading up to the nationals.
The 20th annual Barona $1 Million Hole-in-One Shootout, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, begins Monday and runs through Sept. 19 at the Stadium Golf Center. Daily prizes will be awarded to the 10 golfers who come closest to the 125-yard hole. One winner from each day will advance to the Final Shootout at Barona Creek Golf Club on Sept. 22. An ace at the Final will win a golfer $1 million. For information, see pacificlifeholidaybowl.com or call (619) 283-5808.
The organization Tee It Up For The Troops will hold a fundraising golf tournament on Sept. 29 at Vista Valley Country Club. All proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher House and America Supports You organizations. The cost is $150 per player. For more information, call (760) 758-2800, ext. 32.
Staff writer Tod Leonard contributed to this report.
