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Singh matches foreigners' record with Bay Hill win

Vijay Singh of Fiji gestures on the 17th hole during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida. PHOTO: AFP

Vijay Singh matched the career record for US titles by non-US players on Saturday, firing a final-round three-under par 67 to win the PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Singh finished 72 holes at the US$5.5 million event on eight-under par 272 to defeat US veteran Rocco Mediate by two strokes for his first victory in 15 tries at Bay Hill, a frustration that included three runner-up showings.

Singh's victory was the 31st of his US PGA career, equaling the 44-year-old Fijian with 1930s English star Harry Cooper for the most by any non-US golfer. His first win came at 30 and he has won a record 19 since turning 40.

"I'm not done yet. I just want to keep playing and win as many as I can, hopefully a few more this year and next year," Singh said. "I've no real goals to how much I want to win. Just keep winning -- that is a good goal to have."

The shocker for Singh was less the record level as it was that South African legend Gary Player had not captured more US titles.

"I always thought Gary was way out there. It shows how much I know," he said.

Singh still dreams of a career Grand Slam after two PGA Championship titles and a Masters green jacket, making the US and British Opens his main goals.

"Those are the things I would like to win, but they are the hardest ones to win," Singh said. "If I win the Opens that'll be the icing on the cake for me."

Singh's second title of the year, following the season-opening Mercedes Championship in Hawaii, was worth US$990,000.

Mediate, who fell back after a six-over 76 in the third round, closed with a 67 but his charge was too little and too late.

"To come out and do this was very cool," Mediate said.

World No. 1 Tiger Woods suffered one of the more horrendous finishes of his career, finding the water at 17 and 18 on his way to a closing 76 and a share of 22nd on 283. Woods, who began the day five strokes back and opened with two birdies, made a bogey at 16, double-bogeys at 11 and 17 and a triple bogey at 18.
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