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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > September > 26
Friday, September 26, 2008
Vijay Singh playing on direct deposit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s not easy being Vijay Singh. Just think of the pressures associated with having $10 million stuffed in your back pocket before you’ve even put your socks on.
Breakfast: Eat a Pop-Tart. Don’t choke.
Shower: Or not.
The day’s objectives: Avoid debilitating viruses, meteors and cannibals.
Navigate these difficult steps, and $10 million is yours. Think of day-trader at one end of the spectrum and Singh at the other.
“If that was me, I’d be in last place,” Kenny Perry said Friday. “He’s probably celebrating every night. I mean, you’ve already won. It’s over. There’s no reason to play hard. Nobody can beat him. What’s his motivation?”
Singh is playing the Tour Championship on direct deposit, and it shows.
This is the final “playoff” in the FedEx Series, which has morphed into a glass of de-fizzed seltzer. Singh has a huge lead in a nonsensical point system, so he needs only to complete 72 holes to clinch the title and the prize money ($9 million in cash; $1 million in deferrals for the next generation for Singh’s).
Even if he stepped into a bunker at East Lake and had the bloody hand of Carrie reach up and pull him down to the Underworld, he would still be assured of the $10 million bonus if anybody but Sergio Garcia or Camilo Villegas won this week.
Human nature being what is, that can’t help but affect an athlete’s focus. We are including Singh, even though his often-prickly nature might lead some to believe he’s immune to human nature, as well as other things human.
He admits focus has been an issue. Here’s the evidence: Two rounds, 11 bogeys, four birdies. He’s tied for 23rd in a 30-man field at 7-over-147.
Singh believes he was more dialed in Friday than Thursday. That would be easier to believe if he didn’t follow his 73 with a 74, ending round two by missing a three-foot putt on 18.
Asked if focus was an issue, Singh said: “Maybe it was [Thursday]. But I was out there trying real hard today.
“When I started off I was a little bit overwhelmed with the situation I was in. It felt kind of [strange]. Whatever I did, people were congratulating me — even before the tournament started. Normally you don’t get congratulated until after the tournament. It’s a weird thing on your mind.”
He smiled as he spoke. He look relaxed, the picture of serenity. Want confirmation he’s not into this? There it is.
A normal Vijay Singh would’ve blown past media and fans after missing a three-footer on 18. This one gave quotes and signed autographs.
Stewart Cink says he’s also struggling with focus this week. His excuse: Ryder Cup hangover.
“I understand what he’s going through,” he said. “Vijay just has a different reason to be scatterbrained than I do. But the end result is it’s not working.”
Ryder Cup hangover isn’t bothering Anthony Kim, who leads the tournament at 7-under, one shot ahead of Sergio Garcia. The same can’t be said for Perry, the Kentucky native who shared in the U.S. win in Louisville. He’s 11-over and is quite open about the fact he would rather be somewhere else.
“I have no focus,” he said. “I don’t even care. I’m just trying to get my last-place check and go home. This week has ruined my [Ryder Cup] week. It’s like winning the Super Bowl and then having to play a football game the next day.”
Singh is 14 shots off the lead. He maintains he will go all out today. Good luck finding a believer.
First place pays $1.26 million. Last place pays $112,000. Generally, that’s a significant difference.
But most don’t have a $10 million bonus gift-wrapped and waiting for them. That will bring Singh’s earnings this season to $16.5 million.
Motivation? Whatever. Don’t choke on the Pop-Tart.
