Vijay Singh is known as one of the best golfers in the world during 1990s into the 2000s. He also had one of the top winning seasons during 2014.
The 54-year-old was born in the Sugar City and was taught golf by his father, an airplane technician, who was a good golf teacher. He turned pro in 1982 and won the Malaysian Open in 1984.
The older Singh got, the harder he worked and all that work paid off, especially at the turn of the millennium as he entered his 40s. In 2003, Singh posted four wins, 14 top 10 finishes and led the PGA Tour in money. In 2004, he won nine times, posted 18 top 10s, won the Vardon Trophy, led the PGA Tour in money, and was named player of the year.
In 1985, he was embroiled in cheating allegations over an incident at an Asian Tour event. Singh was alleged to have altered his scorecard in an attempt to make a cut. Singh denied the allegations but was suspended by the Asian Tour.
He spent time as a golf pro in Borneo, but also continued playing around the world winning tournaments in more than 15 countries. In 1988, he joined the European Tour where he played full-time for five years after which he joined the US PGA Tour and was named rookie of the year.
According to ThoughtCo, Singh’s career really took off in 2003 and was followed by the huge 2004 season. At one point in 2004, Singh made 12 top 10s in a row, at the time the longest such streak since 1975. His nine victories — which included his third major, the PGA — made him one of only six players in PGA Tour history to post nine or more wins in a single season. He also became the first golfer to earn $10 million in a single season.
When Singh opened 2007 with a victory at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, it was his 18th win since turning 40, breaking Sam Snead’s record for most PGA Tour wins after age 40.
Singh won three times in 2008, but injuries began slowing him down as he approached age 50 and he hasn’t won since on the PGA Tour.
Recently Singh played sporadically on the Champions Tour. But he did notch his first senior win at the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf (partnering Carlos Franco).
The Vijay Singh Charitable Foundation benefits charities and non-profit organisations that assist and support women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.
Tour Victories
* PGA Tour: 34
* European Tour: 13
* Champions Tour: 1
Major Championships
* Masters: 2000
* PGA Championship: 1998, 2004
Awards and honours
* PGA Tour leading money winner, 2003, 2004
* PGA Tour Vardon Trophy winner, 2004
* 2004 PGA Tour Player of the Year. Member, International team, Presidents Cup: 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009.
