Vijay Singh became the first back-to-back winner of the Shell Houston Open when he beat John Daly in a play-off at the end of an outstanding week for European Tour Members who occupied all the top five positions.
Singh and Daly finished the regulation 72 holes at Redstone Golf Club on 13 under par 275, two clear of Spain’’s José Maria Olazábal with Northern Ireland’’s Darren Clarke and England’’s Greg Owen a further shot back sharing fourth place.
Another Englishman, Brian Davis, was also in the top ten in a five way share for seventh place at eight under par.
Singh, elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame earlier in the week, capped a great week with a win on the first extra hole. It was his second title of the season and closes the gap on Tiger Woods at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.
After an opening course record 64, Singh began the final day tied for the lead with Australia's Gavin Coles but was slow to make a move as he stalled on 11 under with pars on his first 13 holes.
Back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th vaulted Singh back into the chase and left him with a chance to clinch the title with a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th.
But Singh's shot drifted just wide of the cup and, after signing for a 70, he headed back to the 18th tee for a playoff.
"The first round obviously was incredible, and I just hung in there," said Singh, who has now won in Houston three of the last four years. "I didn't play extremely well after the first round.
"I mean, I didn't score well, but the thing good about it was, like today, I made a bunch load of pars.
"You've got to have patience, and I guess through experience you have to have patience to win golf tournaments, and that's what I achieved this week.”
Daly launched a late charge with birdies on three of his final four holes for a five-under 67.
The popular American capped off his round with a nervy ten foot birdie putt on the last that brought a huge fist pump from Daly and an even bigger ovation from the gallery.
His hopes of victory disappeared quickly, however, when his tee shot on the playoff hole found the water while Singh continued to produce error-free golf.
"It's great to have them (the fans) behind me," Daly said. "I just wish I would have done a little bit better on the playoff.
"I wish I could have made it a little bit of a playoff for Vijay. I made it too easy for him."
Olazabal continued to enjoy his rich early season form, signing for a final round two under par 70 to finish alone in third with 11 under 277.
Clarke rebounded from the disappointment of last week’’s MCI Heritage Classic with a superb finish in Houston firing a five under par 67 to join Owen at 10 under par 278.
