The twenty fifth anniversary of Vijay Singh’s Masters Tournament victory got here and went with little fanfare in 2025.
That had little to do with the indisputable fact that the Fijian, who’s now 63, wasn’t at Augusta National Golf Club as a result of of a again damage so extreme that he couldn’t stroll final yr at the moment, he stated on Monday.
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Singh wouldn’t have anticipated a lot celebration – nor did he need any – on the silver anniversary of his second main championship victory; he had beforehand received the PGA Championship in 1998 and bagged one other PGA in 2004.
Vijay Singh does not covet the media
Vijay Singh celebrates after successful the 2000 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Allsport)
He’s one of the least media-friendly golfers of his era, which has adversely affected his picture. In his prime, he typically turned down interview requests (generally even when main tournaments!), selecting to spend lengthy hours on the vary working on his sport as a substitute.
Asked on the Monday of this Masters week about his relationship with the media, he stated “no comment.”
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Singh has taken flak for selections
He did obtain some unfair criticism earlier than this yr’s PGA Tour season when it was revealed that he had taken benefit of a PGA Tour one-year exemption by advantage of being amongst the high 25 on the profession cash checklist. Critics stated he was taking a extra aggressive participant’s spot. As it turned out, Singh solely needed to play the season-opening Sony Open in Hawaii as a result of he received the event in 2005 and it may not be again on the revamped schedule in 2027. He made the lower, tying for fortieth.
He’s received some contrarian in him, which suggests he rejects fashionable opinion. In 2024, he steered that the well-known 155-yard twelfth gap at Augusta National be lengthened. Add that to his powerful exterior, which included a dustup with Phil Mickelson as soon as over golf spikes, it’s no marvel he stated Monday that he didn’t remorse not being right here for the anniversary of his Masters victory.
“No, absolutely not,” Singh stated.
Vijay Singh of Fiji hits from the fairway on the 2nd gap throughout the 1st spherical of the 2009 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club April 9, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia.
For the causes above, Singh is likely to be one of the most underappreciated and forgotten Masters champions. Does he really feel that approach?
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“I don’t care what anyone’s opinions are anymore,” he stated.
Singh revered by friends
His contemporaries know the way good he was, successful 34 occasions on the PGA Tour, together with 9 occasions in 2004. That elevated him to No. 1 in the world rating for 32 weeks, knocking Tiger Woods off the perch.
With $71,312,738 million in profession PGA Tour earnings, he ranks eighth on the all-time cash checklist. In his years on the 50-and-over PGA Tour Champions, he has received 5 occasions, together with a senior main at the 2018 Players Championship.
Vijay Singh, pictured throughout the 2016 Masters
“What a talent,” stated two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw. “He sees things other people don’t.”
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Said 1987 champion Larry Mize: “Vijay is a great player; a great champion.”
Singh’s report at Augusta National in the early 2000s is tough to beat. In his title protection in 2001, he tied for 18th. After that, he completed in the high eight 5 years in a row.
His greatest pictures at a second inexperienced jacket got here in 2002 and 2006. In 2002, he was two pictures off Tiger Woods’ 54-hole lead however closed with 76 to complete seventh. In 2006, he led after a first-round 67, then shot 74-73-71 to tie for eighth.
“We all think we can win (again),” Singh stated. “If you play the right shots and don’t make mistakes at the right moment things can change just like that on a golf course like this.”
Vijay Singh (R) of Fiji is congratulated for successful the 2000 Masters by final yr’s champion Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain 09 April, 2000, at Augusta National Golf Course
After his run in 2006, nonetheless, Singh has by no means contended right here once more. His greatest end since is a tie for thirteenth in 2007. From 2016-24, he made the lower twice (2018 and 2024. After lacking final yr’s Masters, this will probably be his thirty second begin.
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Singh is second-oldest participant in discipline
At age 63, Singh is the second-oldest participant on this yr’s Masters discipline, behind 66-year-old Fred Couples. After that, the oldest gamers are Jose Maria Olazabal (60), Angel Cabrera (56) and Mike Weir (55).
The solely different participant on this yr’s discipline who teed it up when Singh received in 2000 is Sergio Garcia.
Vijay Singh of Fiji performs his shot from the fourth tee throughout the third spherical of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia.
Asked how he feels bodily after an 18-hole follow spherical on Monday, by which his gait slowed significantly as the holes went on, Singh merely stated, “I’m here.”
David Westin is a recipient of the Masters Major Achievement Award and has lined each event at Augusta National Golf Club since 1979 for The Augusta Chronicle. He additionally caddied at the membership for a time.
This article initially appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Vijay Singh’s Masters history remains complicated, and maybe underrated
