Vijay Singh

Tuesday, March 31, 1992 -

Vijay Singh	Top: The future is looking up for this man from Fiji. Center: Krishnan, also a pro, often teams up with brother Vijay, acting as his buddy. Bottom: Vijay sends out dust from the hard, dry fairway.	Top: Vijay watches Lee Porter playing out a bunker. His full concentration in the game has often been misinterpreted as aloofness by the gallery. Bottom: Captive audience for Vijay at the box

A small far-off country named Fiji is today recognised as a golfing force in the world. Thanks to the exploit of 29 year old Fijian, Vijay Singh, Fiji was one of the countries invited to the qualifying round of the Dunhill Cup in Hong Kong in March. No one could feel prouder than retired pro, Mohan Singh, because Fiji was represented by his 3 sons. Mira, 34 is a pro in Sydney; Krishna who is now based in Kuala Lumpur, is 31 and is the touring pro of Templer Park Country Club and Vijay, who has been making headlines in Europe, and most recently in Malaysia, when he proved his supremacy by taking the Malaysian Open crown.

"My father, who is born and bred in Fiji, was the first pro there. When each of us reached the age of eight, he would teach us how to play golf" Vijay mentioned that he and Krishna were caddies at the 9 hole Nadi Airport Golf Club, which has now been extended to 18 holes. "There were a few hundred golfers and there were 5 golfcourses then. But now, there are 12 courses, and a few thousand golfers." Krishna explained about the growth of golf in the country.

"Krishna and I were playing at around the same handicap, while we were growing up, and we both decided to turn professional in 1982." After a dismal performances on the Australian Tour, Vijay ventured to this country and won the Malaysian PGA title in 1984. His foray into the Asian Circuit in '85 reaped very little returns, and he decided to get a job in Malaysia.

From '86-87, Vijay was first attached to the Keningau Golf Club in Sabah, before his move to the Miri Golf Club in Sarawak. He began to ponder and target his sights elsewhere. He tried to qualify both for the European Tour and the British Open in '87, but failed. Undeterred, he tried again the next year and got his ticket for the European Circuit. It did not take Vij ay long to prove himself. He won the 1988 Swedish PGA title in his first year, and made history as the first Asian to break through into the winners circle. "The European Tour is 10 times more difficult than the Asian Tour. Every player is so good, and the standard is much higher. I'm competing against the world's best. Woosnam, Ballesteros, Faldo, Olazabal all play on the tour." Vijay then explained what a struggle it was at first.

"It was tough at the beginning trying to make money and to survive. Of course, everyone thought it was a fluke when I first won." But Vijay proved his critics wrong when he took the Volvo Open in '89. "I began to get more respect and was accepted after that." Vijay emphasised that there may be 4 seasons in a day, with temperatures going down to 0 degree Centigrade, and winds blowing as fast as 40-50 m.p.h.

"One must get used to it, and cope with sudden changes in weather conditions. I try to keep a positive mind, and just concentrate on What I'm doing. I have learnt to adapt, and not get overworried." Since he was signed up by the International Management Group in '89, Vijay does not have to worry about his schedules all over the world, and most of his other problems are all well taken care of.

Vijay was 24th in the European rankings in ' 89, but j umped up to 13th in ' 90 after he added the E l Basque Open to his growing list. Last year, Vijay clinched the Moroccan Open, and although he remained 13th in the rankings, he banked into his account more than 200,000.

It did not take Vijay long to pick up another laurel this year. Prior to his return for the MalaysianOpen, Vijay came from behind inthe Turespana Masters, third leg in the European Circuit, with 66 for the 50,000 winner's cheque. That was in February. In March, the Malaysian title belonged to Vijay.

Yet, Vijay looks back with fond memories to the 1989 and ' 90 Safari Tour which he topped both years.

"The Tour comprises 5 legs - Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. During the winter, many on the European Tour participate to get away from the harsh cold weather, using this Tour as a warm-up for the