Canadian Open: Vijay Singh began his reign as world number one with a dramatic sudden death play-off win over Mike Weir in Ontario.
Singh clinched his seventh title of the season on the third extra hole, spoiling the event's 100th anniversary party for the thousands of spectators at Glen Abbey Golf Club who wanted Weir to become the first home winner for 50 years.
Left-hander Weir, whose popularity in Canada is surpassed only by ice hockey's Wayne Gretzky, began the day with a three-shot cushion, pursued by a pack of three players including Singh.
But the 2003 US Masters champion battled his nerves and the Jack Nicklaus-designed course through a roller-coaster, one-over-par 72 in the closing round to finish alongside Singh (69) on nine-under 275.
Playing in his first event since replacing Tiger Woods as the world number one, Singh stalked Weir throughout and sent the $4.5 million tournament into a play-off when he sank an eight-foot putt for birdie on the par-five 18th.
The Fijian then secured his fourth title in five starts with a routine tap-in for par at the 18th after Weir's approach from the rough found the water at the third extra hole.
"I feel for Mike," Singh told reporters after pocketing $810,000 to increase his 2004 PGA Tour earnings to $8.69 million and move within striking distance of Woods' single-season record of $9.1 million.
"He would have wanted to win for the crowds but that's the way golf goes, somebody has to win," said Singh. "To win one PGA Tour event is very difficult to do but what I have done is just incredible. It's a ride that I hope can go on forever but I know it will come to an end one day."
"I was disappointed for everybody," said Weir, who had a chance to win when he missed a four-footer at the second extra hole.
LEADING FINAL SCORES (US unless stated): 275 - V Singh (Fiji) 68 66 72 69, M Weir (Can) 68 65 70 72 (Singh won at third play-off hole); 277 - J Ogilvie 70 69 69 69; 278 - J Rose (Eng) 70 70 75 63, T Lehman 74 70 70 64, H Mahan 72 69 69 68, S Cink 72 68 69 69; 279 - R Damron 72 71 70 66; 280 - M Hensby (Aus) 70 69 70 71, J Parnevik (Swe) 69 66 71 74.
