Singh Is Not Yet This Year’s Best

It has been some kind of year of golf for Vijay Singh, all right, his fifth since ditching his glasses after undergoing laser eye surgery. Not only have his results been amazing, Singh’s vision is better and what he sees isn’t exactly causing eyestrain.

He won his third major title Sunday, despite making zero birdies in a closing 76 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis., the highest final round to win the PGA Championship and the worst final round by the winner of a major in 66 years.

This is a clear signal that business is good.

Sure, Singh switched from a long putter to a conventional putter three weeks ago at the Buick Open and won that one too, but he’s leaving the distinct impression now that he could walk out on the green, putt with a tin can taped to a stick and still see his way into the winner’s circle somehow.

So is Singh lucky, good or just stubborn? He won the Buick when John Daly bogeyed the 72nd hole. He eventually won at Whistling Straits with a 76, but also after every player who had a chance to beat him messed up at the 72nd hole.

What all this means is clear to many, who say Singh already has wrapped up the player-of-the-year award. He has a major championship to add to his four other tournament victories -- three more than any other player -- so he’s sure to break Tiger Woods’ five-year run at the top as the player of the year.

Here’s another view: Let’s put the coronation ceremony on hold, at least for a while.

Unless somebody has burned the calendar, the year’s not over yet. In fact, one of the huge-money, big-clout tournaments of the year begins today at venerable Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio -- the $7-million NEC Invitational.

There’s still the $7-million American Express Championship at Mount Juliet Estate in Ireland in October, plus the $6-million Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta a few weeks later.

There’s no opportunity for Woods to influence any votes, not with the majors completed this year, but there’s clearly a chance for somebody else to catch Singh and beat him to the finish line for player of the year.

Remember Phil Mickelson? With one round to go at Whistling Straits, Mickelson was figuring he could wrap up player of the year with a victory. He wound up missing by two shots the three-way playoff where Singh prevailed, but there’s still a way for Mickelson to finish fast and finish first.

Sure, Singh leads the money list over Mickelson, but he has played five more times than Mickelson, nine more times than third-place Ernie Els and seven more times than fourth-place Woods. Mickelson averages more money a start than Singh, with three fewer victories.

And though Singh leads Mickelson in victories, 5-2, the game’s still on.

Mickelson leads the PGA Tour in scoring average -- Singh is third -- and he’s also No. 1 in the all-around ranking, which is a complication of all the statistical rankings.

Plus, Mickelson has more top-10s than Singh and a better record in the four majors -- a second, a third and a sixth to go with his victory at the Masters.

There are two player-of-the-year awards, one given by the PGA of America that is based on a mathematical formula that weighs victories, earnings and scoring average, and another by the PGA Tour that is based on balloting of the players. Woods has won them both the last five years.

It might turn out that Mickelson earns some votes from PGA Tour pros if he does well at the Ryder Cup, something that Singh cannot even play. That might not be fair, but as Chris DiMarco, Chris Riley, Justin Leonard and Els were reminded once again on the 72nd hole Sunday at Whistling Straits, golf’s not all fair.

Of the top 50 players, 48 will be at Firestone this weekend (Retief Goosen and Thomas Bjorn will sit out because of injuries), so there should be some movement toward settling the player-of-the-year issue. And remember, Mickelson has seven top-10s at Firestone the last nine years, including a victory in 1996.

None of that should be unsettling to Singh, not after he has just won the PGA Championship and is riding high atop the money list. He has had a great year, the best of his career, it’s just that it’s not over yet. He can celebrate later, if his year winds up as good as it looks right now.