The Hindu : Vijay Singh staves off Price's challenge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 20, 2003

Sport

Sport - Golf

Vijay Singh staves off Price's challenge

Fiji's Vijay Singh (right) poses with legendary golfer Byron Nelson after winning the Byron Nelson championship in Irving, Texas, on Sunday.

Irving (U.S.A.) May 19 . With the spotlight on him, Fiji's Vijay Singh delivered, fending off a bold charge from Zimbabwe's Nick Price to win the $5.6 million PGA Byron Nelson Championship by two strokes on Sunday.

The 54-hole leader, Singh surrendered the lead after 11 holes, but three birdies over the final seven proved more than enough in ideal conditions at the Las Colinas TPC.

Singh carded a 4-under-par 66 to finish at 15-under 265. Price, whose three-putt bogey at the 15th proved to be pivotal, shot a 65 and was alone in second at 267, a shot ahead of Australian Robert Allenby (65).

Coincidentally, Singh and Price have been among the most outspoken critics of Annika Sorenstam's participation in the Colonial tournament, which starts on Thursday.

Singh made headlines when he slammed Sorenstam, saying a woman had no place in a men's event, but he put the controversy out of his mind and let his clubs do the talking.

``I spoke to my wife a lot,'' said Singh, who collected $1.008 million for his 13th victory on the PGA Tour, his second this year.

``She said, `Just go and play.' The way I was playing, I just wanted to focus on my game.''

He wasn't at his very best for much of the round, picking up three birdies and two bogeys in the first 11 holes, but when the challenge was issued, he responded magnificently.

Singh, who has pulled out of the Colonial, started the final round with a one-stroke lead over Jeff Sluman and three-shot advantage on Price, who played two groups ahead.

A tap-in birdie at the first extended Singh's lead, but by the time he got to the 12th tee, he found himself a shot behind Price.

A birdie at the 12th made it level again, but Price birdied the 14th to regain the lead. However, his three-putt bogey at the 15th opened the door for Singh, who slammed through it by sinking a 28-foot birdie at the same hole moments later.

``I never made a long putt all week, and that was it,'' Singh said. ``That was the one I wanted. And then I birdied 16, and that was it.''

Price, who will defend his Colonial title, could only rue his miscue at the 15th, where he sent his first putt from 60 feet rocketing nine feet beyond the hole.

``I felt someone was going to shoot 15-under, whether it was Vijay or someone else.''

His prediction was correct as Singh won in front of Nelson, the 91-year-old tournament host.

``I'm so proud to win this tournament, because of Byron,'' Singh said.

AFP

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