2007 Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open - Round 4: Vijay triumphs by two over Korean duo

Singh, 44, birdied the final 18 th hole for a two-over-par 73 in the final round as he enjoyed a two-stroke triumph over Korea's Kim Kyung-tae and Yang Yong-eun at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.

Singh, with 31 wins on the US PGA Tour, walked away with the top prize of US$320,855 after a winning total of six-under-par 278.

“It is always nice to win here. I've won in Korea back in 1995 and now this year. It is also a significant year for the tournament which is celebrating its 50 th anniversary so that is an added celebration,” said Singh.

Yang, who was last year's winner, struck a 68 to claim joint second spot alongside Kyung-tae who holed a birdie on the 18th hole for a 67. Korea 's Kang Kyung-nam was in contention before back-to-back bogeys on the 16 th and 17 th holes blew his chance as he finished in joint fourth position after a 72. Compatriot Kim Hyung-sung shot a 69 for a 281 total also in tied fourth spot.

China 's Liang Wen-chong, who is the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit leader, shot a 75 and ended his week in joint 12 th place alongside Australia 's Scott Barr who fired his best round of 66 for a 286 total. Kim Sung-yoon was also in a tie for 12 th position when he closed in with a 69. Liang earned US$14,973 this week and strengthened his position at the top of the UBS Order of Merit ranking with total earnings of US$469,708.

Singh, who turned pro in 1982, had a four stroke cushion heading into the final round but two birdies against five bogeys after 16 holes cut his lead to one. Kyung-nam was right behind the Fijian before bogeys on the 16 th and 17 th holes blew his chances of a home triumph. Singh held his game with a crucial par putt on the par four 17 th hole and cemented his win with a final birdie putt on the 18 th hole.

“The pin positions today were the toughest I've played so far. But the turning point out there for me was at the par 17 th hole. I drove it well off the tee and used a nine iron in my next shot. The ball landed exactly where I wanted it. It was close to the pin on the right where I two putted for par. The pin on that hole was tough and to come out with a par was a good result because I knew I could go for a par on the final hole. But I ended with a birdie on the last hole which was a great finish,” admitted the champion.

Yang, who won the 2006 edition, fired four birdies against a lone bogey as he was pleased to have a strong finish in second place.

“I am pleased with my overall performance this week although I could not make a double win. It was a bit frustrating at the end when the ball lipped out on the 18 th hole which could have resulted in a birdie but I played a solid game and I'm satisfied,” said Yang.

Korea 's Bae Sang-moon finished in sixth spot after a 70 while Asian Tour's Anthony Kang carded a 73 in lone seventh spot for a 283 total.

“I am glad to have a strong finish this week. My first goal was to make the cut and after that, I was hoping for a good end and I've done just that this week. I played solid and held my game so I'm very pleased with my result,” said Kang.

Thailand 's Prayad Marksaeng finished on a high note with a 69 alongside Australia 's Adam Groom who shot a 75 in tied eighth spot. Paul Sheehan of Australia was in a similar position after 68 together with Kim Chang-yoon who posted a 70.

Leading fourth round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

278 - Vijay Singh (FIJ) 66-69-70-73

280 - Kim Kyung-tae (KOR) 67-71-75-67, Yang Yong-eun (KOR) 65-75-72-68

281 - Kim Hyung-sung (KOR) 67-72-73-69, Kang Kyung-nam (KOR) 67-73-69-72

282 - Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 72-71-69-70

283 - Anthony Kang ( USA ) 71-68-71-73

285 - Paul Sheehan (AUS) 72-76-69-68, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 73-72-71-69, Kim Chang-yoon (KOR) 71-72-72-70, Adam Groom (AUS) 70-75-65-75

286 - Scott Barr (AUS) 72-75-73-66, Kim Sung-yoon (KOR) 73-72-72-69, Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 70-70-71-75

287 - Marcus Both (AUS) 70-74-72-71, Kim Hyung-tae (KOR) 73-72-71-71, Kim Dae-sub (KOR) 71-73-70-73, Lee In-woo (KOR) 72-68-69-78

288 - Lee Sung (KOR) 69-75-71-73, Kim Sang-ki (KOR) 69-69-76-74, Toshinori Muto (JPN) 76-72-67-73

October 7, 2007