BETHESDA, Md. — Not every day on the golf course starts as Vijay Singh's round did on Friday, but it's the finish that counts. Despite a shaky beginning with bogeys on the opening three holes at the Senior PGA Championship, Singh kept his composure, utilizing his veteran experience.
“Your mind just goes haywire,” Singh admitted about his early hiccups. Yet, the Fijian golfer, well-versed in the ups and downs of professional golf, noted, “there's a lot of golf out there.” True to his word, Singh rebounded spectacularly, nailing seven birdies to finish the day with a 4-under 68, catapulting him to the top of the leaderboard at Congressional Country Club.
Sidelined by an undisclosed injury earlier this season, which saw him miss both the Masters and the PGA Championship, Singh looked nothing short of prepared as he battled through the tough conditions. Sharing the lead at 6 under, Singh was joined by Y.E. Yang, who also shot 68, and Cameron Percy, who carded a 71.
Reflecting on his performance, Singh said, “I’ve been driving the ball good.” As he pieced together his round after the shaky start, he mentioned, “Just hung in there and started making a couple of birdies here and there, picked up the shots, and the back nine I played solid golf.”
The seasoned 62-year-old is no stranger to Congressional, a venue where he once played during the 1997 U.S. Open. With this course being a challenge in adaptability, Singh noted the changes over the years, particularly with the demanding greens.
Singh shared insights into his evolved practice regimen, once famous for his exhaustive sessions. “Now if I hit two or three good shots, I say, 'I’ve had enough, that’s it.'” His experience was evident, navigating through his physical limits while maintaining sharpness.
Y.E. Yang came alive with four birdies over the last five holes of his round, showcasing resilience and timing at just the right moment.
Cameron Percy, having grown up in the unpredictable conditions of Melbourne, Australia, adeptly adjusted to the swirling winds, constantly checking his surroundings with a keen eye for the American flag that flapped at different intensities.
Among those chasing Singh and his co-leaders are Padraig Harrington and a contingent just behind at 4 under, while Ernie Els fell back to even par after a challenging follow-up to his strong start. The competition remains fierce as the weekend progresses at this storied Maryland venue.
