Singh Beats Woods, First Money Title

“Black Pearl” Vijay Singh (Fiji) won the first money prize title in his career to end “Golf Emperor” Tiger Wood’s (U.S) four consecutive years of winning the money prize title.

The final 4th round of the Tour Championship, the last tour of U.S PGA 2003 season’s Tour, was held at Houston Champion’s GC (par 71) in Texas, with a $6 million prize purse at stake on November 10.

Singh, who was tied for 5th place with an 8-under, 276 strokes score, added $228,000 to his purse to push his tour-leading total to $7,573,907 as he clinched the money prize title by of $900,000 over Woods ($6,673,414), who finished alone in 26th place with a 1-over-par, 285 strokes final score.

This tournament was won by Chad Campbell, who earned his first career victory with a 16-under par, 268 strokes score. The winner’s share is $1.08 million.

“Tank” Choi Kyung-joo (Superior, Taylormade) hit a 3-under par 68 to finish tied in 19th place with 1-under 283 strokes total. With this, Choi Kyung-joo finished this season in 30th place in money prize list with $1,999,633, only $337 away from the $2 million level.

On the other hand, the only interest goes toward the competition in securing the individual titles as the U.S PGA Tour is over. Woods won the points-based PGA America Player of the Year award and the Varon Trophy (the lowest scoring average award) with 68.41 strokes for the fifth straight time.

However the most honorable “PGA Tour Player of the Year” award, which is decided by a vote of their peers, has not been settled. Because Singh won the money prize award, he is a powerful rival who can deny Woods winning this title for the fifth straight year.

The “PGA Tour Player of the Year” award ballot began on November 10, with 204 players who have played in more than 15 tours in this season casting their votes by means of mail or phone call. The outcome will be released on December 8.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com