Weir leads applause for Singh's command performance

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

NORTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) - Canadian Mike Weir led the tributes for Vijay Singh after the smooth-swinging Fijian spread-eagled the field at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday.

Singh romped to a five-stroke victory, his third triumph in five weeks on the PGA Tour, after shooting a sparkling eight-under-par 63 in tough conditions.

"Vijay's round was really exceptional," left-hander Weir told reporters after carding a 71 in breezy, fast-running conditions at the TPC Boston to finish a distant second behind the world number five.

"He's just standing up there with the driver and letting it loose. He's hitting it long right now and he's putting well, so it's a good combo he has going.

"The weekend shaped up for a longer hitter to do well," added Weir, who led going into the final round before relinquishing it to Singh with a double-bogey at the ninth.

"It's hard to combat that firepower when the wind was blowing like that. I thought the golf course played very hard today."

Singh, 45, registered his 34th PGA Tour victory to draw level with Phil Mickelson in 13th place in the all-time standings.

"It's incredible," said Weir, an eight-times winner on the circuit. "Since he's turned 40, he's had 20-plus wins. He just keeps getting better and better."

COMMAND PERFORMANCE

South African Ernie Els and Spaniard Sergio Garcia also applauded Singh's command performance.

"He's back to form," Els said after closing with a 70 to tie for third. "He's such a great player when he gets on form. He works hard and he likes these golf courses.

"He's playing really good golf and he's got some confidence going, so you know he's going to be a dangerous guy."

Garcia, 28, had the best view of Singh's dazzling 63 after playing with the Fijian in the penultimate pairing.

"It was awesome. I'm glad I got to watch it," the Spaniard said after carding a 72. "I don't think you guys (the media) are going to realize how good that was because you're weren't playing. You don't know how tough the course was playing.

"When Vijay is playing like this and rolling the ball like he's rolling it, it's hard to beat him because we al know how good a ball-striker he is.