TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT: Singh: 10 million reasons not to practice

The most shocking revelation to emerge from East Lake this week: Vijay Singh, the human version of an “Iron Byron” ball-striking machine, went a week without hitting balls.

It was part of Singh’s plan to be rested and ready for this week’s Tour Championship. He’s got the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus in the bag, unless he breaks a leg and can’t complete all four rounds. But Singh has said he’s coming here to win and a few days of rest wasn’t going to hurt, particularly his left arm, which he keeps wrapped because of tendinitis.

“Tried to rest my arm a little bit,” he said. “I knew that was a big factor. If I kept playing I don’t think I would have been able to manage that, so I took a week off and started hitting balls again.”

He also took time out to watch the Ryder Cup matches on television.

“That was a good excuse not to practice,” he said. “I did enough work on my game, enough work with my body, and just kept myself in good shape for this week.”

Singh enters the tournament as the No. 3-ranked player in the world. He has won $6.47 million, which leads the PGA Tour. Singh has won three times this year, including the first two FedEx Cup playoff events.

Zinger

Include Hunter Mahan among those who were chanting “Zinger for ‘10” in the team room after the Americans won the Ryder Cup. After winning the competition for the first time since 1999, there’s great interest in bring Paul Azinger back as captain for the United States team in 2010.

“He loves the Ryder Cup just so much, so much, that you love to see that passion in your captain,” Mahan said.

No captain has been selected by the PGA of America for the 2010 team that will compete in Wales, although former U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin was considered by most as the front-runner. Azinger said he didn’t want to think about the notion, but he didn’t rule it out, either.

“I think we would love to see him do it again,” Mahan said. “I mean, he was a great captain. He really was.”

Going home

Camilo Villegas, No. 2 in the FedEx Cup points race, returned home to Colombia for a week after winning the BMW Championship three weeks ago. He was greeted by plenty of fans and media but was able to spend time with his family and ride his bicycle.

Villegas is involved with a foundation that takes kids off the streets and gives them a place to get an education and learn performance art.

“They get a little bit of everything,” Villegas said. “They get a little affection, they get education, they get food, and they can also perform. That’s what they’re good at, and why not take them out of the streets, give them a good place to go to and have fun.”

Villegas has won $3.16 million this season and is No. 11 on the PGA Tour’s money list.

Tickets remain

A few tickets remain for the tournament and may be purchased at www.pgatour.com or by calling (888) TOUR-TIX.

Spectators should park at Turner Field and ride the shuttle to East Lake. There is no on-site parking at the golf course.