Angels roll to win over Tigers
Veteran is in contention at Players Championship after a second-round 68.
Mike Trout homers and Matt Shoemaker shines for the Angels in a 7-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Golfer Vijay Singh clearly does not need the money.
If he did, Singh would be cashing checks each week on the Champions Tour, where the 54-year-old’s game would be quite formidable.
Singh chooses to test himself on the PGA Tour, where his game had been failing to the tune of nine of 10 missed cuts entering the Players Championship this week.
Following a 68 on Friday, Singh might never join the over-50 circuit. Winless on Tour since 2008, the longtime Ponte Vedra Beach resident believes he is not finished adding to his Hall of Fame resume.
At six under par overall, Singh sits three shots off the lead held by Louis Oosthuizen and Kyle Stanley, who tied for the low round of the week with six-under 66s. J.B. Holmes, at seven under, is the only other player ahead of Singh entering the weekend.
“I feel like I can still compete out here,” Singh said, “and as long as I think I can compete I want to play here.”
No one would question Singh’s wisdom after a second round featuring swirling winds and rock-hard greens led to the usual litany of troubles at TPC Sawgrass.
The day’s biggest calamity belonged to either Zac Blair, whose nine on the parthree 17th hole was the low point of an eight-over 80, or Anirban Lahiri, who managed a 75 despite recording a 10 on the par-four 18th. Three-time PGA Tour winner Scott Piercy had the day’s high round with an 84.
Meanwhile, Singh turned in the textbook round that would be expected from one of the best ball strikers of his generation. He hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation. His round took off with a 39-foot birdie putt on the par-five 11th hole followed by a 28foot birdie from off the green on the par-four 12th. Singh’s putter did run out of steam by the end; he missed a birdie from eight feet on the 17th hole and three-putted No. 18 for his only bogey.
Those lost opportunities did not dim his enthusiasm.
“I’ve been rolling the ball really, really well,” he said. “My caddie just got excited every time I got it on the green. If I keep putting like that, I’m going to be right there on Sunday.”
Singh faces a long, difficult two days sure to challenge him both mentally and physically. Rain forecast for Saturday could possibly force golfers to play more than 18 holes Sunday.
Even in ideal conditions, designer Pete Dye’s layout offers little letup and requires precision shot-making on every approach. TPC’s renovated putting surfaces have intensified the challenge to avoid the bunkers around the greens.
“As firm as it’s playing, it’s still not easy to hit it close to the pins,” Masters champion Sergio Garcia said. “Your shots have to be spot on.”
Singh was on the mark Friday to record his lowest score at TPC Sawgrass since 2009 and his best start since 2006, when he was the world’s second-ranked player behind Tiger Woods.
Nine players in the field were not born when Singh made his Players debut in March 1993. One, world No. 5 Jordan Spieth, trailed Singh by 10 shots after 36 holes to become the biggest name to miss the cut.
Entering Thursday, Singh was a longshot to make the weekend. Now he is chasing history and is looking to become the oldest winner in PGA Tour history.
“I’m playing well and I’m excited about it,” he said.