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Singh never gained rhythm
Defending Masters champion bedeviled by bogeys that stalled any momentum toward leaders
Posted: Sunday April 08, 2001 7:13 PM
Updated: Tuesday March 26, 2002 9:43 PM
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Vijay Singh has a wave for the gallery after his birdie at the third hole, one of six he recorded in the final round. The Augusta Chronicle |
By Mike Howell
The Augusta Chronicle
Just as he did last year, Vijay Singh birdied the 72nd hole of the Masters and was greeted by his son Qass.
This time, their smiles were more subdued.
The 2000 Masters champion posted a final-round 69 Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club to finish in the middle of the pack at the 65th Masters.
``I played OK today, but I left a lot of shots out there. I made too many bogeys,'' Singh said. ``I had a disappointing second and third day. I'll learn a lot from those rounds and hopefully come back strong.''
Singh began his final round with a birdie on No. 1 and added birdies on Nos. 3, 8, 13, 15 and 18. Bogeys came on Nos. 7, 12 and 17.
As Singh made his way around the back nine, the gallery offered generous applause to the reigning Masters champion.
Although he expected to contend this week, Singh never gained the momentum needed to defend his title. His lowest nine-hole score was a 2-under-par 34, and his four-day totals of 69-71-73-69-282 could not keep pace in favorable scoring conditions this week.
In much tougher conditions last year, Singh won a green jacket with a total of 278, 10-under par.
Singh has another shot at winning a major in Georgia, and he doesn't have to wait until the 2002 Masters. He will be one of the favorites when the PGA Championship is held at the Atlanta Athletic Club in August. Singh won the PGA title in 1998.
On Sunday in Augusta, however, Singh never made a run at the leaders. As he rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt to finish his round, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods were walking behind the 18th green, gearing up for a back-nine duel for the green jacket.
``I'm done,'' Singh said before walking away with his son.
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