Seven Players To Light Up The Masters: Vijay Singh

In the third part of a seven part series concerning players who could end up winning the elusive Masters Championship next week at Augusta, I'll look at a player who, despite his high profile in the world of golf, is a huge outsider for the tournament.

This player has been out of the spotlight for sometime when it comes to Majors, but the world knows that when he brings his A-game to the course, he can be a threat to the rest of the field.

That player is former World No.1 Vijay Singh, who after a baron spell at Major Championships, could be ready to mount a charge at the first major of this season.

The Fijian has three majors to his name, most recently in 2004 when he won the PGA title from Tiger Woods; one of nine tour titles collected that year by the new world No.1.

Ever since hitting the dizzy heights of No. 1, Singh hasn’t quiet been able to challenge regularly at Major Championships. Although it was nip and tuck between him and Woods for the best part of a year, it was Woods’ victory at the 2005 Masters that eventually set the two apart.

In 2007, Singh missed finishing in the top ten of each major that year. Ever since, his form in the big competitions has subsided.

Why have I considered him a contender?

Well, since a variation to his swing was introduced into his play, Singh has found the winning habit; winning three titles last year, including a crushing five-shot victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Even though the new year has started with a few injuries, he is well on the road to recovery, and is set to take part at Augusta.

A crucial stat to consider is that Singh is a former winner of the Green Jacket this decade, as his win in 2000 came at the expense of Ernie Els, an experience that is sure to be valuable for the Fijian.

Although he must be valued as a rank outsider, due to his recent futility at Majors, it would be naïve to completely write off the three-time major winner.

In a tournament where the world’s best are sometimes left wondering "what if", sometimes it takes a rank outsider to take that title.

With the pressure off Singh, this could be his perfect time to strike.