Eagles mean more than a nice score for Singh

text size

MEMPHIS -- When Vijay Singh addresses a golf shot that could ultimately produce an eagle on the PGA TOUR, he says his mind doesn't wander, and "if it happens, it happens."

That's how he tries to maintain separation between his megastar image as an extremely competitive, driven player and his role as ambassador for the Eagles for St. Jude charity initiative that benefits the Memphis-based St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Condon/PGA TOUR

Vijay Singh shot a 1-over-par 71 in Friday's second round.

Related

Singh's scorecard
Singh's '08 resullts
Video: Singh on his 71

So far this year he's made four eagles, including one this week at the Stanford St. Jude Championship. Singh, who stands 2 under and among the leaders at the midway point of the PGA TOUR event, holed out from 34 feet off the green for eagle on the par-5 third hole during the first round.

"When it happens, I usually say something to my caddy like 'that one was for the kids,'" Singh said. "And then I get on with my round."

For every eagle he makes on TOUR this year, "The Big Fijian" in those TV promotions, is contributing $5,000 to the charity. A year ago, the first of the initiative, he pledged $1,000 but was disappointed when he only made 12 eagles and upped his donation to a total of $50,000.

The announcement came during an emotional trip to St. Jude and visiting with patients. At a press conference that day, Singh tossed aside comments that he'd been given to read and spoke from his heart.

"I've been to a lot of places in the world and seen a lot of things," Singh said, "but this is probably the most wonderful place I've ever been. It's probably the most touching thing I've ever done. I'm really proud to be here."

As he spoke, he mentioned his son, Qass.

"I have a 17-year-old kid, and I was always very worried if anything would ever happen to him," Singh said. "But after coming over here (to St. Jude) and seeing this place, it would have made the 17 years a lot easier knowing you have a place like this where a kid can go and get cured.

"I just think the world should be very proud of St. Jude and we're just so blessed to have this."

Singh obviously was touched that day.

"All the research. All the cures. All the misery that people face," he said. "But you go in there (hospital) and you see all the kids with their smiles. It's just overwhelming ... This has been probably the most emotional day I've ever had."

After shooting 1-over 71 in Friday's second round of the Stanford St. Jude Championship to remain in contention, Singh was asked about his role as spokesperson for the Eagles campaign, sponsored by the tournament's title sponsor.

"It's one of the best things I've ever been involved with," he said, in a soft, thoughtful tone.

Is it a bigger concept than he thought when he signed an endorsement agreement with Stanford more than a year ago?

"It's huge," he said.

Stanford gives $1,000 to the hospital for every eagle made on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour. Camilo Villegas of the PGA TOUR has pledged $3,000 for every eagle he makes and Morgan Pressel of the LPGA Tour has pledged $1,000. Like Singh, both have sponsorship contracts with Stanford.

"I was approached by Stanford last year to take part in the Eagles for St. Jude program and I just thought, 'Yeah, why not?' and I jumped right into it," Singh said. "I should have done this a long, long time ago."

Singh, playing for the first time since missing the cut at THE PLAYERS Championship, had been slowed by a rib injury. He says he feels fine now, but he could do without the gusty winds that have been blasting TPC Southwind this week and made conditions "tough, really tough," as he put it.

"I would like it to die down a little bit," he said. "I don't like playing in these conditions. It's too much of a guessing game. But if it dies down, the pins are going to be accessible and I'm hitting the ball really good. I'm looking forward to that (calmer forecast) if it happens."

And maybe another eagle or two.