In an exciting finish, Vijay Singh takes the Bell Canadian Open right out of Mike Weir‘s grasp on the third playoff hole. Leading after 54 holes by 3 strokes, Weir shot a final round 72 (+1) and Singh a 69 (-2). After a pair of birdies on the first playoff hole (#18) and an anemic pair of bogeys on the second playoff hole (#17), they went back to #18. Weir’s troubles on this hole started when he drove into the thick right rough. Chopping it out another 100 yards down the fairway, Weir then plays a slight draw with an iron, skips it off the back of the putting surface, and splashes into the water. This opened the door for Vijay who, after another beautiful drive, hit a 6I to just off the green and chipped it to within 6 feet. Vijay missed the birdie putt but left only a comeback tap-in for the par and win. All in all, Weir and Singh played sloppily (Vijay played the 11th hole in 7-over par), but Singh managed to best the Canadian in his own championship.
The win puts Vijay Singh to within about $500,000 of Tiger Woods’ single-season money earnings record. Moreover, if Vijay’s victory last week didn’t cement his bid for Player of the Year, this win – Vijay’s seventh and his fourth in his last five starts – should do it. Singh’s seven victories accompany 14 top-10, 20 top-25 finishes, and well over $8 million in winnings. There’s absolutely no chance that Tiger will steal this one away from him.
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