VJ Singh....why not popular?

[juanrjackson]

All:

I've always wondered this....why is VJ Singh not that popular?

In this decade, besides Tiger, VJ has probably been the best player in golf. He has wins in majors, money titles, FedEx cups. Even the TV announcers don't seem to give his the respect he deserves....but they love to talk about guys like Phil & Sergio.

Do you think it is because:

1) He's older & everyone likes younger stars

2) He's kind of a boring player to watch

3) A lot of his wins come in less prestigious tournaments

[uttexas]

All:

VJ is my favorite player. Tiger one of my least favorites. Many don't like VJ due to his lack of PC and polish. He speaks his mind, and he has unpopular opinions (I strongly disagreed with him on the Annika situation at Colonial). But, I greatly respect openness and honesty. Which is why I dislike Tiger, he hardly ever says or does anything that doesn't appear to be guided by the marketing PR machine.

[Bluenoser67]

He's not American. If he was the american press would look past the cold exterior and find the funny helpful charismatic golfer inside. My god man they make old Phil Nippleson look good (because he's american).

[Mr Eagle]

I hate VJ, Why?
I saw him as a young player many years ago and proceeded to put my hard earned on him winning tournament after tournament with no success.Of course as soon as I gave up,deciding he was not as good as I thought he was he went and won!

I dont realy hate him, but he did give me the raving hump

[silentfink]

He's got the personality of a 2 x 4. Great player, though.

[iacas]

Several reasons.

1) He's been burned by the press and, as such, he now despises the press. If you don't talk to the press, you don't get much glowing coverage.

2) He's not American.

3) He works hard - as hard as anyone else and harder than 98% of PGA Tour Pros. Hard work isn't sexy.

4) Similar to 3: he's not flashy. He's not young, he doesn't wear fancy belt buckles, he doesn't crouch on the greens like a yoga instructor.

Vijay's one of the most well-liked guys among his peers, so I prefer to think highly of him because of that, his work ethic, his solid commitments to his wife and family, and so on.

[NM Golf]

Several reasons.

I agree, I have heard he is really well liked by the other guys on tour. When you see him play live at a tournament he seems like a great guy. He smiles, laughs, and seems to joke around with his playing partners. I followed him 2 years ago in Phoenix and have like him ever since then. In fact if I had my choice of playing golf wih anyone on tour I would probably choose him.

[golfinanuj]

Vijay Singh is a great golfer. I don't think he is popular on tour because of his demeanor and because of his mentality. He is, in my opinion, the hardest working top tour professional. I hope he continues to set an example for his fellow countrymen and inspire others to play golf (myself included).

[PiKapp23]

Several reasons.

I agree with what iacas has said. Add to that the the cheating scandal many years ago. Honestly, I do not even know the details but supposedly he changed a score on his scorecard after he finished (and I think he won because of it). At the time many people thought he had cheated. Whether he actually cheated or not, someone likes to bring this up every now and again. And because he's not loved by golf fans, he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt (like Tiger or Phil or any number of other players would).

He usually seems to be a likable person when he wants to be. I think he would be much more popular if was more friendly with either Tiger or Phil. Most American golf fans seem to side with one or the other and since Vijay has always made it apparent he's not 'best buds' with either, he's kind of alienated their fans.

[golf_junkie27]

Several reasons.

It's sad that hard work and determination is not applauded. I, for one, would love to see a show dedicated to practice sessions and what goes on behind the scenes of a professional golfer. All the preparation work, etc. A great story is how one tournament director, not sure of the tournament, was planning on installing lights on the range because Vijay was scheduled to play and was doing everything possible to accomodate him. I hope when I'm 46 that I still have the same passion for golf that he does.

[ks8829]

I saw VJ at the Fed Ex at Harding Park and after his practice at the driving range he signed autographs for everyone and talked with us like he was our neighbor.

I respect his work ethics, he's more flexible than any 40+ year old player on tour and its just amazing that he's still winning at his age.

VJ has the record for the most wins on the PGA Tour by golfers after they have turned 40 years


Vijay Singh - 22
Sam Snead - 17
Julius Boros - 10
Kenny Perry - 9
Gene Littler - 7
Dutch Harrison - 7

I think that he speaks his mind and put his foot in his mouth with the Annika incident many years ago, even though many of the tour players were thinking the same thing.

I believe he is popular but the media somehow doesn't show that to the audience.

[tim31x]

i dont like vijay. my father saw him play when he was in a a qualifying tournament. he and several others saw him better his lie in the rough by using his foot to kick it out. i feel like i just can't take a professional golfer who would cheat at all.

[golf_junkie27]

i dont like vijay. my father saw him play when he was in a a qualifying tournament. he and several others saw him better his lie in the rough by using his foot to kick it out. i feel like i just can't take a professional golfer who would cheat at all.

Your dad and several other fans saw Vijay cheat but his playing partners, their caddies and the rules official/official scorer that walks with each group did not?

That is really hard to believe, especially in a qualifying tournament where guys are trying to make a tournament and have a lot at stake.

[iacas]

Your dad and several other fans saw Vijay cheat but his playing partners, their caddies and the rules official/official scorer that walks with each group did not?

I don't believe the guy either. Especially since... when was the last time Vijay would have had to qualify for anything?

[bruce]

I like V.J,i think he is a class player,actually i can't think of any player i dislike,maybe Sabbatini a bit.

[VOX]

I have it from a mutual friend that Tiger doesn't like Vijay. He has been mad ever since Vijay reprimanded Tiger for leaving Fuzzy twisting in the wind after making that dumb comment at the Masters.

Even the young Eldrick didn't like being spanked in public.

Tiger was shocked that anyone would have the guts to dress him down.

[MrKadash]

I don't have a feeling either way about Vijay. I had an opportunity once to get his autograph and exchange pleasantries which lasted all of fifteen seconds, and he seemed like a decent guy. He, like that mentioned before, isn't flashy and is business on the course. That, however fair or not, goes a long way in determining outward impressions.

[pshizz]

Vj seems like a nice guy, i dont have anything against him besides what he said about annika. I personally think hes not populat because he has a monotone voice, and seems like an uptight guy when he is being interviewed.

The only golfer i dislike is stewart appleby, because he bad mounths john daly, and his struggle with alcohol. I think anyone who criticizes someone with an addiction is a class-less.