The 25th anniversary of Vijay Singh’s Masters Tournament victory came and went with little fanfare in 2025.
That had little to do with the fact that the Fijian, who is now 63, wasn’t at Augusta National Golf Club because of a back injury so severe that he couldn’t walk last year at this time, he said on Monday.
Advertisement
Singh wouldn’t have expected much celebration – nor did he want any – on the silver anniversary of his second major championship victory; he had previously won the PGA Championship in 1998 and bagged another PGA in 2004.
Vijay Singh doesn’t covet the media
Vijay Singh celebrates after winning 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 generation, which has adversely affected his image. In his prime, he often turned down interview requests (sometimes even when leading tournaments!), choosing to spend long hours on the range working on his game instead.
Asked on the Monday of this Masters week about his relationship with the media, he said “no comment.”
Advertisement
Singh has taken flak for decisions
He did receive some unfair criticism before this year’s PGA Tour season when it was revealed that he had taken advantage of a PGA Tour one-year exemption by virtue of being among the top 25 on the career money list. Critics said he was taking a more competitive player’s spot. As it turned out, Singh only wanted to play the season-opening Sony Open in Hawaii because he won the tournament in 2005 and it might not be back on the revamped schedule in 2027. He made the cut, tying for 40th.
He’s got some contrarian in him, which means he rejects popular opinion. In 2024, he suggested that the famous 155-yard 12th hole at Augusta National be lengthened. Add that to his tough exterior, which included a dustup with Phil Mickelson once over golf spikes, it’s no wonder he said Monday that he didn’t regret not being here for the anniversary of his Masters victory.
“No, absolutely not,” Singh said.
Vijay Singh of Fiji hits from the fairway on the 2nd hole during the 1st round of the 2009 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club April 9, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia.
For the reasons above, Singh might be one of the most underappreciated and forgotten Masters champions. Does he feel that way?
Advertisement
“I don’t care what anyone’s opinions are anymore,” he said.
Singh respected by peers
His contemporaries know how good he was, winning 34 times on the PGA Tour, including nine times in 2004. That elevated him to No. 1 in the world ranking for 32 weeks, knocking Tiger Woods off the perch.
With $71,312,738 million in career PGA Tour earnings, he ranks eighth on the all-time money list. In his years on the 50-and-over PGA Tour Champions, he has won five times, including a senior major at the 2018 Players Championship.
Vijay Singh, pictured during the 2016 Masters
“What a talent,” said two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw. “He sees things other people don’t.”
Advertisement
Said 1987 champion Larry Mize: “Vijay is a great player; a great champion.”
Singh’s record at Augusta National in the early 2000s is hard to beat. In his title defense in 2001, he tied for 18th. After that, he finished in the top eight five years in a row.
His best shots at a second green jacket came in 2002 and 2006. In 2002, he was two shots off Tiger Woods’ 54-hole lead but closed with 76 to finish 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 said. “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 winning the 2000 Masters by last year’s champion Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain 09 April, 2000, at Augusta National Golf Course
After his run in 2006, however, Singh has never contended here again. His best finish since is a tie for 13th in 2007. From 2016-24, he made the cut twice (2018 and 2024. After missing last year’s Masters, this will be his 32nd start.
Advertisement
Singh is second-oldest player in field
At age 63, Singh is the second-oldest player in this year’s Masters field, behind 66-year-old Fred Couples. After that, the oldest players are Jose Maria Olazabal (60), Angel Cabrera (56) and Mike Weir (55).
The only other player in this year’s field who teed it up when Singh won in 2000 is Sergio Garcia.
Vijay Singh of Fiji plays his shot from the fourth tee during the third round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia.
Asked how he feels physically after an 18-hole practice round on Monday, in which his gait slowed considerably as the holes went on, Singh simply said, “I’m here.”
David Westin is a recipient of the Masters Major Achievement Award and has covered every tournament at Augusta National Golf Club since 1979 for The Augusta Chronicle. He also caddied at the club for a time.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Vijay Singh’s Masters history remains complicated, and maybe underrated
Read the full article here
