Golf: Vijay looking for some Malaysian magic

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak shares a light moment with Vijay Singh (left) and CIMB chief executive officer Datuk Seri Nazir Razak at the Mines Resort and Golf Club yesterday.

IT has been a decade since Vijay Singh last played in Malaysia but his love for the country has changed little as he prepares to make his debut at the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic today.
The Fijian has a Malaysian wife and began his career in Malaysia, plying his trade in Sabah and Sarawak in the mid-1980s and winning the 1984 Malaysian PGA Championship.

Malaysia was the launchpad of many great victories in the following years but playing opportunities here have been limited due to his busy US PGA Tour schedule and a succession of knee and back injuries over the past two years.

The three-time major winner’s last appearance here was in 2001, when he won his second Malaysian Open title at Saujana in Subang. He was due to play at the 2008 Iskandar Johor Open only to pull out after suffering an injury.

Now that his injury woes are behind him, Vijay is hoping some of the Malaysian magic which worked wonders for him in the past will help him get back on his feet.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been back here to play. I’ve had good times here and my wife is from here. Malaysia has been a special place in my life and I’ve got family here.

“I’m comfortable with the food, understand a bit of the language and it always gives me a lot of enthusiasm to play here. I just feel comfortable here, except for the weather which is a bit hot, but you get used to that,” said Vijay, 48, after his practice round at the Mines Resort yesterday.

Currently 58th on the Official World Golf Ranking, Vijay has not won a tournament since the 2008 Deutsche Bank Championship.

“I’m looking forward to playing here. I’ve got a good feeling about it, so we’ll see what happens.”

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