Singh defeats Weir at third playoff hole

Vijay Singh began his reign as world number one with a dramatic sudden death playoff win over Mike Weir in the Canadian Open on Sunday.

Singh clinched his seventh title of the season on the third extra hole, spoiling the event's 100th anniversary party for the thousands of spectators at Glen Abbey Golf Club who wanted Weir to become the first home winner for 50 years.

Left-hander Weir, whose popularity in Canada is surpassed only by ice hockey's Wayne Gretzky, began the day with a three-shot cushion, pursued by a pack of three players including Singh.

But the 2003 U.S. Masters champion battled his nerves and the Jack Nicklaus-designed course through a rollercoaster, one-over-par 72 in the closing round to finish alongside Singh (69) on nine-under 275.

Playing in his first event since replacing Tiger Woods as the world number one, Singh stalked Weir throughout and sent the $4.5 million tournament into a playoff when he sank an eight-foot putt for birdie on the par-five 18th.

The lanky Fijian then secured his fourth title in five starts with a routine tap-in for par at the 18th after Weir's approach from the rough found the water at the third extra hole.

"I feel for Mike," Singh told reporters after pocketing $810,000 to increase his 2004 PGA Tour earnings to $8.69 million and move within striking distance of Woods's single-season record of $9.1 million.

"He would have wanted to win for the crowds but that's the way golf goes, somebody has to win," said Singh.

"To win one PGA Tour event is very difficult to do but what I have done is just incredible. It's a ride that I hope can go on forever but I know it will come to an end one day."

Not since Pat Fletcher in 1954 had a Canadian lifted the title and Weir admitted the expectations of the country weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Trailed by a super-charged gallery estimated at 52,000, Weir made a stuttering start with a double bogey on the par-four second.

But the 34-year-old quickly regained his composure with birdies on three, five, six and 10 to restore his three-shot advantage.

Feeding off the energy of the crowd, Weir's chance at an historic win may have been dashed by an over-zealous fan who grabbed his shoulder roughly as he made his way to the 11th tee.

Clearly startled and massaging the back of his neck, Weir appeared to lose focus, dropping shots on 11, 13 and 16 to let Singh back into the contest.

With a Canadian flag fluttering on the 18th pin and the 524-yard hole lined 10 deep with thousands of cheering spectators, Weir still had an opportunity to seal victory in regulation, only to watch his birdie putt fall inches short.

"I was disappointed for everybody," said Weir, who also had a chance to win when he missed a four-footer at the second extra hole.

"The level of intensity was right there with Augusta but for whatever reason I was not able to gather my emotions like I normally do."

American Joe Ogilvie was third on seven-under 277, with compatriots Tom Lehman, Stewart Cink, Hunter Mahan and Britain's Justin Rose in joint fourth on 278

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page