Finally a birdie and the win for Singh in PGA

The only birdie Vijay Singh made all day was the only one that mattered.

The only birdie Vijay Singh made all day was the only one that mattered.

All but counted out of the PGA Championship with a putter that failed him, Singh took advantage of a late collapse by Justin Leonard to get into a three–way playoff Sunday at Whistling Straits, then made the only birdie over the three extra holes to win the final major of the year.

It was an amazing turnaround for the 41–year–old Fijian, whose career is defined by second chances.

Despite closing with a 4–over 76 – the highest winning score ever by a PGA champion – and taking 34 putts in regulation, Singh nearly drove the green on the first of three playoff holes and made a 6–foot putt.

Leonard and Chris DiMarco never had a good look at birdie in the playoff, and they stood helplessly on the 18th green as Singh tapped in from 2 feet for par on the 18th for his third career major.