Singh sets sights on US top spot

Vijay Singh is going all out to become the USPGA’s Player of the Year because he believes it could be his last chance to achieve the honour.

The Fijian moved to the top of the American money list after a six-under-par 65 in the final round saw him win the rain-delayed John Deere Classic in Illinois.

Singh posted a four-shot win over Chris Riley, 1999 champion JL Lewis and Jonathan Byrd to earn his third victory of the year.

The first prize pushed his yearly earnings to $5.7m (€5.04m) for 2003 and moved him past Tiger Woods and Davis Love III on the money list.

Singh has played in seven straight events in an effort to win the money race, which he leads for the first time since August 1998.

“If I can maintain the money ranking, that’s my goal,” Singh said. “To be able to win the money thing just once before I finish.

“This will probably be the best opportunity that I get.”

Singh becomes the fifth player with at least three wins this year, joining Woods (four), Love (four), Mike Weir (three) and Kenny Perry (three).

He also collected his 14th top-10 finish of the year, tying Jim Furyk for the Tour lead – nine of those finishes have been in the top five.

When played resumed yesterday morning, Singh and Lewis shared the lead, holding a one-shot advantage over Notah Begay III, Riley and Paul Stankowski.

The Fijian pulled away by playing the final 14 holes in four under and completed the 72 holes at 16-under on 268.

His other wins this year came at the Phoenix Open and the Byron Nelson Championship.

“I did not force any putts to go in and made sure I didn’t leave myself any second putts, and that was the key for this win,” Singh said.

Riley and Lewis struggled to shoot even par, while Byrd gained a share of second place by carding a three-under 68.

“If he (Singh) putts well, he shuts the door early, but he made some putts at the end,” Byrd said. “He’s so consistent and he gave himself so many chances.”

Riley had three bogies and three birdies in an up-and-down round while Lewis offset two birdies with a pair of bogies.

Japan’s Hidamichi Tanaka, Kevin Sutherland and Stankowski tied for fifth on 273, one shot ahead of Jerry Kelly and Begay.