Fijian · Lautoka, Fiji · Born 22 February 1963Fijian golfer who overcame an early-career ban to become a three-time major champion and world No.1, with 34 PGA Tour wins.
Vijay Singh was born on 22 February 1963 in Lautoka, on the Fijian island of Viti Levu, into an Indo-Fijian family practising Hinduism, and turned professional in 1982, developing into one of the most dedicated practisers the game has ever seen, renowned for spending hours on the range perfecting his craft. Singh's early career was marked by controversy, including a ban from the Asia Golf Circuit over rules violations, but he rebuilt his reputation and career, becoming PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1993 before establishing himself among the sport's elite. Singh, nicknamed "The Big Fijian," won three major championships, capturing the PGA Championship in both 1998 and 2004 and the Masters in 2000, and reached the world No. 1 ranking in September 2004, the same remarkable season in which he won the PGA Tour money list, Player of the Year, and Vardon Trophy. Singh won 34 times on the PGA Tour, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, closing out one of the most successful late-career surges in the sport's history and remaining the most accomplished golfer Fiji has ever produced.
First Fijian/South Asian-descent major champion; dethroned Tiger Woods as World No.1 in 2004
How They Played
Methodical approach with exceptional work ethic and consistency
Lasting Impact
First Fijian golfer to win majors and reach World No. 1
Career Honours
- PGA Championship 1998, 2004
- Masters 2000
- World Golf Hall of Fame 2006
- FedEx Cup 2008
Fijian Athletes