Grand Blanc, Mich. — Tiger Woods rolled in a long birdie putt and cupped his left ear to coax a louder reaction from one of the tour's rowdiest galleries.
Playing two groups behind, Vijay Singh's lead was down to two strokes, but he wasn't concerned about the roar from No. 17 - or the world's top-ranked golfer.
"Tiger was never really ever within five shots of me all day," said Singh, who shrugged when informed Woods in fact was closer to his lead.
Singh followed up three spectacular rounds with an average one, and it was enough to win his third Buick Open, holding off a surging Woods. Singh closed with a final-round 70 for a four-stroke victory and a 24-under 264 total.
The Big Fijian said he never really worried about losing his lead.
"I wasn't as aggressive," he said. "I felt very much in control, so I didn't want to make any mistakes because nobody was making a charge. To protect the lead is not a fun way to play."
What was an exciting tournament for three days became anticlimactic during the final round until Woods created a buzz with his comeback attempt.
Woods, who began the day eight shots back, vaulted into contention with six birdies and an eagle in an nine-hole stretch.
"I thought if I played a great back nine, I might be in position just in case Vijay messed up, but he's playing too well to do that," Woods said after tying for second.
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