Vijay Singh Ends Three-Year Drought at SAS Championship

Vijay Singh closed with a three-under 69 at Prestonwood Country Club on Sunday to win the SAS Championship by two shots over Ernie Els, his first PGA Tour Champions victory in more than three years and his sixth on the senior circuit.

Why was Singh playing with a new caddie?

Singh revealed after his third round that his regular caddie had left him just five days before the tournament began. "My caddie fired me this Tuesday," Singh said, adding he believed he had been too hard on him. He called Wayne De Haas, who had caddied for him previously and had recently lost his job on the Korn Ferry Tour, and asked if he was available. De Haas said yes.

De Haas, a former professional golfer, has also caddied for Ernie Els and Cameron Young since his own playing career ended. Singh said the familiarity made the week easier. "It was so much easier to play golf with somebody really knowing what they're doing," he said.

A caddie dismissal five days before tournament week turned into a three-under closing round and a title.

What did Singh credit for ending the drought?

Singh, who has three major titles and 34 PGA Tour wins in his Hall of Fame career, said the win followed a return to focused practice after a stretch of what he called "lazy practicing." He said he had kept up his gym work but had let his range time slide before rededicating himself to it in recent weeks. The victory came after an earlier, short-lived bid at a full PGA Tour comeback in 2026.

What's next for Singh?

The victory lifted Singh to 33rd in the Schwab Cup standings as the PGA Tour Champions season moves into its three-event Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, which conclude with the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship in November.