Maybe some point soon, the brainiacs behind the FedEx Cup will find a way to make it relevant. As it stands, the four-event playoff was decided after two weeks, when Vijay Singh had back-to-back overtime victories. Which made Camilo Villegas' victory at today's BMW the equivalent of a Week 17 win for an NFL team already headed to the postseason. But the third leg of the FedEx Cup wasn't without drama, thanks to Singh:
...Singh, who won the first two events, tied for 44th and earned enough points that all he has to do is complete four rounds at the Tour Championship in two weeks to collect the $10 million payoff. But the surly Singh didn't seem terribly grateful.You know, Vijay is known as much for his prickly demeanor as he is for his tireless work ethic and horrendous putting stroke, but I have a hard time getting too worked up about him blowing off the media after an event.
In a move that took some shine off the tour's new prize, Singh refused to speak to NBC Sports and walked briskly past a group of other media after finishing his round.
And, frankly, I'm not sure how he's being ungrateful by refusing to give NBC a couple minutes. Not unless they had something to do with him winning twice in two weeks. Otherwise, what's the problem? Could Singh have handled it better? Yeah, sure. But at least he didn't dust off the ole "kiss my ass, everybody" routine on his way to the parking lot.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-08-2008 @ 12:01AM
Judy "the foodie" said...
Thanks for the insight.
Vijay has had enough experience with the media to be savvy about requested interviews. He keeps his eye on the prize so why should he accept an interview with NBC. More than likely, the reporters were hoping he'd declare victory in some subtle way. If he's superstitious in the slightest, he could affect his chances. Why waste a good shot at winning on a media interview!
Reply
9-08-2008 @ 10:47AM
Art said...
Why shouldn't VJ give NBC 2 minutes of his time??? Judy you have to be a kook!! Nbc is what made these tournaments pay outs what they are today!! if not for TV VY Singh would be a cook in fejie. VJ is the most hated and despised golfer on the pro tour. the courses hate him and I am not to found of him either. He is demeaning arrogant and a total pr#$%. I will not even watch golf if he is in the last 5 groups I think he is a great golfer but he needs to go to personality school
Reply
9-08-2008 @ 11:16AM
Sue said...
NBC didn't make golf popular - Tiger did!
9-08-2008 @ 11:57AM
Rob Moorer said...
Vijay did the right thing by snubbing NBC. NBC is bias most of the time and usually prints what they want anyways, truthful or hurtful.
It's so obvious they favor liberals and if anyone is a conservative they write the negative side of the story.
Sad to see but true. I'd never watch NBC news again.
Reply
9-08-2008 @ 2:10PM
golfgirl said...
Personally, I would have loved the "Kiss my Ass" routine. Vijay is so awesome, and that attitude is part of it. After the last couple of wins he came perilously close to warm & fuzzy. Now the villian's back. Long live the villian.
Reply
10-28-2008 @ 10:13PM
VJFAN said...
VJ does not come to tournaments to come in 44th. The winner was still out on the course. Any claim to victory on his part would show disrepect to his opponents. He clearly does not trust the media and rightly so.
I might add this guy has more imagination on a golf course than Tiger. Respect him for his ability.
Reply
9-09-2008 @ 6:12AM
Vijayswing said...
VJ is an excellent golfer with the memory of an elephant..... students of golf history know exactly why he gave NBC the brush off.... the media were among the co-conspirators who delayed his career over unfounded accusations back in the 80's.... So.. he'll play 4 more rounds and collect his $10M annuity...... Go Veej Go! It'lll be beautiful that the first two names on the cup will be Tiger and Vijay.....
Reply
9-11-2008 @ 11:29AM
Norris said...
Should not there be an asterisk on the trophy!
9-11-2008 @ 1:46PM
Ed said...
I am so glad you pointed this out. Vijay's demeanor on the golf course is a direct product of how he was treated in the 80's on the Asian/European tour. Until his game began to speak for itself, the status quo establishment (that has tried to keep golf within private country club settings) strived to derail his budding career because he defied expectations. I personally don't think Vijay owes anybody an interview. As a viewer, all I am entitled to is a good golfing show, and he clearly puts one on. So to argue that NBC and media networks are responsible for the growth of golf, hence their entitlement to an interview, is preposterous. Skill is what does it. Tiger, in my view, is the greatest golfer ever. Vijay isn't too far behind. Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman etc dominated the sport when certain segments of our society weren't even allowed near country clubs, or couldn't afford to participate. Considering them the greatest golfers, therefore, would be like declaring the New York Giants "World Champions" in a sport only played in America!!
9-09-2008 @ 11:37AM
Ken said...
Having worked many PGA events as a walking scorer, I've found that most pros are arrogant and make an effort to ignore the fan base and volunteers while appearing congenial and humble when interviewed by the media. VJ is the perfect example. When several volunteers (if not for us, the events would be non-existent) wished VJ a "Happy Birthday" at last years Match Play, not only did he not acknowledge our wishes, he frowned and scoffed as he walked past us without comment. I do admire his ability but dislike him as an individual.
Reply
9-09-2008 @ 6:00PM
jesse said...
Vijay might not have wanted to say anything because at the time he finished the tournment wasn't over.
Why would you want to hear the same canned reply that most golfers have down to an art. I could almost answer the questions before they were asked.
What could they have said? It would be the same blah, blah,.
Reply
9-09-2008 @ 10:07PM
veritas said...
Rob Moorer you are wrong. NBC is a right wing broadcasting system. They just removed Keith Obermann from the 9:00 pm slot in MNBC because trying to unmask the lies of McCain-Palin combo. Liberal my foot, neither is ABC or CBS, ask Dan Rather.
Reply
9-10-2008 @ 11:46PM
walt said...
Vijay doesn't have to speak to anyone, especially if he thinks he'll say something that may not be welcomed by the powers to be??? Vijay did the right thing. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. He'll talk when he collects his 10 million dollar prize, so don't hate. I don't think Vijay is trying to win a popularity prize, just the FEDEX CUP!!!!
Reply
9-11-2008 @ 8:18AM
Joe said...
So whats so great about NBC sports. I'm done with them too after the lousy coverage they did on the olympics. I barely heard a whiff about an american who won the decathlon. Thats ten events NBC. But Lord, I learned way more about the dumbest olympic sport I've ever seen. HANDBALL. Unbelievable, how they didn't play up an american winning a gold medal by the biggest margin in over 30 years, but by god that handball game between Poland and whoever had to keep the execs at NBC on the edge of their seats. So by all means VIjay, blow them off. And please tell Costas to do something with that head of his, he is unwatchable. Gracias.
Reply
9-12-2008 @ 9:50AM
Johnny said...
VJ is still smarting for not winning the first one. VJ is a jerk. Win or lose Tiger always stops for a chat. He also knows who would have won, that bothers him too.
Reply
9-14-2008 @ 10:37PM
tricia said...
The only reason vj won the fed x cup is because Tiger was not in the mix, in complete agreement with another comment, he definitely needs to go to a personality course.
If Tiger Woods can play FIVE rounds of golf with a serious injury and win and take the time to talk to the press vj should have been courteous enought to give NBC two minutes of his time.
Reply
9-15-2008 @ 9:53AM
Jim said...
You must not know much about golf. If not for the fans and tv
there wouldn't be any big bucks. As this whole incident shows
pros like VJ only want the money and does not care about the fans. I find it hard to believe anyone could root for VJ, who has
been disqualified for cheating at a tournament.
Reply