Singh: ‘Nobody pressured me’ on way to Buick Open title

Vijay Singh fired a two-under-par 70 and in a stroll to a four-shot victory and defending his Buick Open title.

The world’s second-ranked player, Singh finished at 24-under 264 to become the first three-time winner and first player to successfully defend his title here since Tony Lema in 1964-1965.

Tiger Woods and Zach Johnson tied for second at 20-under 260. Robert Allenby fired a 65 that included a hole-in-one on the par-three 11th to finish alone in fourth, with Dudley Hart (66) another shot back.

Singh tied the Warwick Hills course record for lowest front-nine score in his third round with 29 en route to a nine-under 63. He fired two birdies and 16 pars in his final round for his fourth win of the year.

“Nobody pressured me at all. I just tried to play hole by hole and not make any mistakes,” said Singh. “It’s a great feeling to defend a title.”

The easy-swinging Fijian is tied with Woods for most wins this season. He has won a remarkable 16 times since turning 40 in February 2003.

Singh carded a birdie at the par-four fifth and another at the par-five 16th that ended any hope of a miraculous comeback by Woods, who made a late charge.

Woods got off to a slow start with an opening bogey. After making the turn at even-par, he got hot on the back nine. He followed three consecutive birdies with an eagle at the par-four 14th, where he drove the green and drained a 17-footer.

A bogey on 18 gave Woods a 30 coming in and left him in a tie for second with Johnson, who carded four rounds in the 60s.