European Tour Player of the Year Vijay Singh carried on where he left off at the end of last year, setting the pace in the season opening Mercedes Championships with a seven under par 66 at The Plantation Course, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii, for a one stroke lead over Australian Craig Parry.
Spain’’s Sergio Garcia lies in joint third place alongside World Number Two Tiger Woods and fellow Americans Stewart Cink and Jonathan Kaye, two shots adrift of Singh after opening rounds of 68.
Singh won nine times on the 2004 US PGA Tour on his way to winning a record $10.9 million and becoming World Number One before earning Player of the Year honours on both The European Tour and US PGA Tour and continued that form with the first competitive round of the new year.
The Fijian had a quiet front nine, making the turn at two under par, but seized the lead with five birdies on the back nine included three on the bounce after the turn.
"I played really well," Singh said. "I left quite a few out there but everyone must have done the same. I was surprised nobody went lower than me, because the wind wasn't as strong as normal.
“You want to start the year off strong. This a huge tournament. All the winners are here. My intention is to play solid and win.”
In total 31 winners from the 2004 US PGA Tour season, only Masters Champion Phil Mickelson elected not to play, are in action.
European Tour Number One Ernie Els shot an opening 69, to lie alongside fellow European Tour Member Adam Scott in the group on four under par.
