Singh Stays Right on Course

Vijay Singh almost left the field behind in second round of the season-opening Mercedes Championships.

Singh played his first seven holes Friday in six under par to open a large lead on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, then he settled down with a series of pars to finish with an eight-under 65 for a two-shot edge over Mike Weir.

Despite the sluggish finish, the 41-year-old Fijian was near a record scoring pace for the tournament. And he made it as clear as the Pacific waters below that he’s still the man to beat on the PGA Tour.

“He shows no signs of slowing down,” Weir said after making up ground with a 10-under 63. “It’s just a given he’s going to be there.”

Singh was at 15-under 131 after curling in a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th.

Ernie Els, who set the 72-hole record two years ago at 31 under, played solidly from start to finish for a 65 that left him three shots out of the lead. Sergio Garcia and Jonathan Kaye were another stroke back after 67s.

Tiger Woods might be up there with Singh if he can ever figure out his putting. Woods missed three consecutive birdie chances inside eight feet on the front nine, and ended his round of 68 by three-putting for par from 35 feet on the par-five 18th. He was 10 under, five shots behind the man who replaced him at No. 1 in the world.

“I had my chances to post a good, solid round,” Woods said. “And I didn’t do it.”

The only thing that went wrong for Singh was putting the wrong driver in his bag. He discovered the mistake about 20 minutes before he teed off, and sent his caddie-trainer to fetch it.

Then, Singh stormed into the lead.

He holed a 15-foot putt on No. 1, hit his tee shot to five feet on No. 2, then hit a crisp iron over a gorge to 15 feet on the par-five fifth hole for an eagle. That was followed by another short birdie, then a 60-foot putt from just off the green. His run finally ended when he missed a three-foot birdie putt on the eighth.

Weir was walking up to the 14th green, already seven under for his round, when he saw a scoreboard that showed Singh already six under for his round through seven holes.

“I figured I need to finish the round,” Weir said.

The Canadian did just that, finishing with three good birdie putts to finish one shot off the course record.

Singh had to take an unplayable lie on the par-five ninth and still made par, but he failed to capitalize on numerous good chances along the back nine.

“I didn’t make too many mistakes,” Singh said. “The putts dried up on the back nine, but I made a lot on the front. I’m playing well. I’m putting well. Hopefully, I’m going to have another one tomorrow.”

Weir was terrific, making sure his body was stable in the stiff wind and holing putts from a variety of lengths. And this would be a good place to atone for a crushing loss to Singh. Late last year, Weir was poised to become the first native to win the Canadian Open in 50 years, but he squandered a late lead and lost to Singh in a playoff.

“He didn’t do anything to me there,” Weir said. “He won the tournament, but I felt like I gave it to him.”