Vijay wins top award

Vijay Singh, who this year became the first player to surpass $10m (€7.4m) in a single season, was delighted to be named the US PGA Tour’s Player of the Year.

The Fijian ended Tiger Woods’ five-year run as world number one in September with his victory in the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Singh said: “I had something to prove this year coming on knowing last year it was so close.”

Singh won nine tournaments in 2004, matching Woods’ 2000 total for the fifth-most in PGA history.

The 41-year-old also led the Tour in top-10 finishes (18), scoring average (68.84) and birdies per round (4.40).

Singh’s play was especially strong towards the end of the season as he won six times in eight events, including victories at the Deutsche Bank Championship, the Canadian Open and Lumber Classic in consecutive starts.

“You know, I didn’t win for the first four or five events, then I started winning,” Singh said. “It’s been a big year, I never thought it was going to be this big, but it’s so satisfying to know that it has come to this, and I’m really excited.”

Singh has been one of the game’s most consistent players, finishing in the top five on the money list every year since 1998.

He also won the money title last year with $7.5m (€5.5m).

“I was disappointed last year (at not winning Player of the Year),” Singh said. “I thought winning the money at least was a consistency of the whole season.”

Todd Hamilton, the surprise winner of the The Open at Royal Troon, was named Rookie of the Year.

He led all rookies in earnings and finished 11th overall with over $3m (€2.2m).

John Daly, who finished 21st on the money list, received Comeback Player of the Year honours.

Daly won the Buick Invitational in a play-off, earning his first victory since the 1995 Buick Open – 189 starts between titles.

Craig Stadler was named Champions Tour Player of the Year after winning five times in 2004, including The Tradition, his second Major victory on the seniors tour.