Vijay Triumphs At Korean Open

It was just like old times for former Masters champion Vijay Singh, who made a triumphant return to Asia with victory at the Korean Open at the weekend.

Singh, who won in Korea back in 1995, closed with a two-over-par 73 to hold on for a two-stroke victory over last year’s winner Yang Yong-eun and his Korean compatriot Kim Kyung-tae.

Singh, who has won more than 30 titles on the US PGA Tour, including one Masters and two PGA Championships, got his start in professional golf in Asia.

He has been a regular visitor to the region despite a busy schedule on the PGA Tour but his first foray of 2007, at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, has been well worth the effort.

Singh said on the Asian Tour website:

“It is always nice to win here. I’ve won in Korea back in 1995 and now this year. It is also a significant year for the tournament which is celebrating its 50th anniversary so that is an added celebration.”

Singh went into the final day with a four-stroke lead and the tournament was his to lose. Although his rivals managed to close the gap, the big Fijian birdied the last hole for a four-round total of six-under-par 278 and a winner’s cheque of $320,855.

In San Antonio, former British Open winner Justin Leonard beat Sweden’s Jesper Parnevik on the third play-off hole to win the Valero Texas Open.

It was the third time Leonard’s won the tournament and he did it with a 10-foot birdie on the decisive play-off hole.

Leonard closed with a 65 while Parnevik had 69 as they finished tied after four rounds on 19-under-par 261.

The two players also duelled for honours at the 1997 British Open at Troon when the American went into the final round five shots behind the Swede.

However, Leonard shot 65 to win the tournament while Parnevik slumped to a 71.


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