Singh has two-shot PGA victory over Howell

VIJAY Singh shot a three under par 67 to steer clear of the chasing pack and win the season-ending PGA Tour Championship on Sunday.

Overnight leader Singh has made a habit of leading into the final round of this event but failing to win. This time he finished at 12 under par for a two shot margin over Charles Howell III. David Toms finished at seven under, followed by Jerry Kelly at six under and Davis Love III and Phil Mickelson at five under.

World number one Tiger Woods (70) finished tied for seventh with Chris DiMarco at four under par.

“Especially on this golf course I thought I was going to win and I played well,” said Singh, who won twice this season and finished third on the PGA Tour money list.

Arriving at the ninth hole, Singh sneaked a peek at the leader board and noticed that while he was at eight under, he still held a two shot lead.

Singh then birdied holes nine through 11. At the ninth, he hit a sand wedge to within five feet and then stuck a five iron to within two feet at the 11th. “So I said, ‘well, I’m comfortable now’,” Singh said.

With the other players failing to mount a challenge, it was down to the 23-year-old Howell to try to deny Singh the victory.

Howell birdied the 12th and eagled the par four 13th, holing a sand wedge from 115 yards. Both players birdied the 15th, but Howell could only manage one more birdie at the par four 17th while Singh maintained his composure to stay ahead.

“It seemed like every time I hit a good shot, especially on the back nine, he was right there to answer it,” Howell said.

Singh, winless in 2001, credits a new training regimen with getting him back to the form of several years ago when he won six times from 1997 through 2000, including two majors.

“The last two years I’ve really taken it to the next level,” said Singh, who won the Shell Houston Open last May.

“Although, I’m making sure that my golf is not being neglected while I intensify my physical training.”

Meanwhile Luke Donald yesterday claimed his first win on the PGA Tour in America when rain washed out the final round of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic in Mississippi.