Vijay Singh of Fiji, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, lifted a winner's trophy on the U.S. PGA senior circuit at the age of 63. He becomes the second-oldest champion in the tour's history, behind Germany's Bernhard Langer, who won at 67.
Singh carded a 3-under 69 with four birdies and one bogey in the final round of the SAS Championship, a $2.3 million Champions Tour event held at Prestonwood Country Club (par 72) in Cary, North Carolina, on the 19th, Korea time. After shooting 69 in each of the three rounds, Singh finished at 9-under 207, two strokes ahead of runner-up Ernie Els of South Africa, who closed at 7-under 209. The winner's share was $345,000, or about 460 million won.
The victory is Singh's first on the Champions Tour since the Ally Challenge in August 2023, roughly three years ago, and his sixth career title on the circuit, which is open to players aged 50 and over. During his prime, Singh won 34 times on the PGA Tour. In 2004 alone he claimed nine victories, unseating Tiger Woods of the U.S. to take the world No. 1 ranking. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2006.
Born on Feb. 22, 1963, Singh was 63 years, seven months and 26 days old when he won, making him the second-oldest winner in Champions Tour history. The record belongs to Langer, who won at 67.
"This tournament was really important," Singh said. "It has been a struggle all year, and this morning I didn't know how I was going to play. In cold weather my back doesn't turn the way I want it to. I couldn't hit my irons the way I wanted either. But I got it done anyway."
Among the Korean players, Yang Yong-eun finished at 1-under for a tie for 22nd, while Choi Kyoung-ju closed at 3-over in a tie for 39th.