/ 25 April 2005

Singh makes history in Houston

Vijay Singh, newly inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, defeated John Daly on the first play-off hole on Sunday to become the first player to win back-to-back Houston Open titles.

Both Singh and Daly finished 72 holes at 13-under-par 275.

Back at 18 for the play-off, Singh pushed his drive right into the rough. Daly, who had birdied 18 to tie Singh, hit through the fairway and into the water, essentially handing Singh the title.

Singh reached the green with his second shot, and two-putted to close out his second victory of the season.

Singh entered the final round tied with Australian Gavin Coles for the lead and carded a 70.

Daly started the day tied for sixth and made his move on the back nine. He birdied three of his final four holes, including 17 and 18, to finish with a five-under 67.

Singh was on the 16th fairway when he heard the roar from the 18th green after Daly’s closing birdie.

Singh had a chance to birdie 18 for an outright victory. But his six-foot birdie attempt slid just to the right of the hole, sending the players back to the 18th tee.

Coles actually outplayed Singh on the front nine, carding a birdie on seven to make the turn at one-under.

But a double-bogey and two bogeys on his inward run resulted in a three-over 75, which dropped him to a tie for seventh at eight-under.

Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain finished third on 277, while Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke and Englishman Greg Owen tied for fourth on 278. — Sapa-AFP