World Number One Vijay Singh shot a closing five under par 65 to capture the Sony Open in Hawaii and deny Ernie Els an historic third successive title despite a course record-equalling 62.
Singh, The 2004 European Tour Player of the Year after winning nine titles and more than $10 million in prize money last year, began the final day four shots adrift of overnight leader Shigeki Maruyama of Japan but quickly closed the gap at Hawaii's Waialae Country Club with a birdie at the second hole.
The Fijian picked up three consecutive birdies from the ninth but it was a three foot putt for birdie on the 18th that took him one clear of Els, winner of last year’’s European Tour Order of Merit., on 11 under par 269.
Singh's triumph, his 25th on the US PGA Tour, overshadowed a brilliant display from Els, who finished on 270 after his eight under par round.
"I prepared for this pretty well, it's a great way to start the year," said Singh, who has now recorded ten victories in his last 26 starts. I just hung in there. I had a lot of birdie chances.
"It takes a lot of pressure off me, everyone saying, 'is he going to win again?'. I missed an opportunity last week and this is going to help.
"It's a great relief, I can start breathing again and go and play more comfortably for the rest of the season."
When the day began, Els was eight strokes off the lead and appeared to have little hope of making it a hat-trick of Sony Open titles. But the South African, who won here after play-offs in 2003 and 2004, gave himself a chance with a birdie, birdie, eagle finish.
"It would have been great to come from eight behind and make a play-off but I don't think that will happen too often, guys coming from so far behind and winning," said Els. "I think you have got to play four solid rounds of golf.
"A guy with that talent isn't going away soon. He (Singh) is at the top of his game, you can't think of him faltering.
"You try to finish the golf tournament the best you can. I really wanted to get the best score I could to get some confidence for next week."
Maruyama, who grabbed the third-round lead with the help of a hole-in-one, struggled to a one over par 71 on Sunday to finish in a tie for third place with American Charles Howell III (67) on nine under par 271.
