A stunning birdie on the final hole earned Vijay Singh a share of the lead of the US Tour Championship with Steve Lowery after the first round.
Singh hit a five wood to eight inches at the tough 232 yard 18th hole at East Lake to secure only the second birdie of the day on that hole and conclude a five under par 65, one of only two bogey free rounds.
Singh and Lowery lead by one from Charles Howell III in the final event of the 2002 US PGA Tour season. Retief Goosen, the current European Tour Number One shot an opening 69 while Open Champion Ernie Els opened with a three over par 73.
Singh, who won earlier in the year in Houston, was poised to win the title in 1998 until his tee shot on the 72nd hole went through the green and cost him a bogey. He subsequently lost the play-off to Hal Sutton.
“It took me a while to get over that one,” said Singh, an Honorary Member of The European Tour. “ would like to win this event especially, and on this course as I have had two good finishes. We will see on Sunday what happens.”
