Singh's 62 Wins Johnnie Walker
U.S. PGA champion Vijay Singh shot a course record 62 on Sunday to take the Johnnie Walker Super Tour title, finishing a six-day, four-round tour across Asia.
The Fijian may have been tired, but his final round was a stunning feat on the Mission Hills course in southern China which was used for the World Cup of Golf in 1995. His 62 equalled the record set by Japan's Hisayuki Sasaki at that event. Singh finished the event -- staged in Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and China -- with a four-round total of 269, 19 under par and two strokes ahead of South Africa's Ernie Els, who finished with a 66. He claimed a $100,000 first prize.
Defending champion Jesper Parnevik of Sweden was third five strokes back. The overnight leader shot a 69, the same as American Brian Watts who was another shot back.
Singh was inspired from the start, racking up birdies on the four opening holes to reclaim the lead. He hit an eagle at the sixth where he hit a 4-iron approach shot to 18 feet and putted in.
Four more birdies followed and he had a chance to hit a 61 when his approach shot on the final hole left him with a 12-foot birdie chance that he narrowly missed to the left.
"It was an incredible round," said Singh, who added that his main aim had been to get away from Parnevik who faded on the second half.
"I had hoped to challenge, but the way Vijay was playing there was not very much I could do," said Els.
The Asian quartet who had started the tour well could not keep up with the pace of the big four.
Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng finished fifth on 282 with a closing 71. Taiwan's Chang Tse-peng followed with a 74 for 285. Malaysia's Marimuthu Ramayah finished on 76 for 286 and Felix Casas of the Philippines was the final male. His 76 left him 22 shots behind Singh.
Women's tour star Laura Davies was bottom with 308 after a closing 78.
Putting on a brave face, she said: "Although I have not played particularly well, I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I've learned a lot and had great fun. Everyone has been very encouraging."