Singh given special exemption into US Open

Pebble Beach: Three-time major winner Vijay Singh of Fiji was given a special exemption into this year`s US Open, the US Golf Association (USGA) announced.

The American governing body had also awarded a special exemption to the June 17-20 event at Pebble beach to US star Tom Watson, who won the 1982 US Open at Pebble Beach and finished second at last year`s British Open. Singh, 47, was 27th last year at the US Open and has missed the cut only once in the event, that coming in his 1993 inaugural appearance at Baltusrol. He has been nagged by injuries in recent months."I’m finally back to good health and really looking forward to competing at Pebble Beach," Singh said. "It’s a fantastic event at a legendary venue. I appreciate the invitation from the USGA and can’t wait to tee it up." Singh won the 2000 Masters crown and the 1998 and 2004 PGA Championships. His best of seven top-10 finishes in 16 US Open starts was a share of third in 1999. He has won 34 PGA titles. "There were many compelling reasons for us to invite Vijay Singh into the field of this year’s US Open, particularly his three wins in Majors in the last 12 years," said Thomas O’Toole, USGA championship committee chairman."He has played through injuries, which caused him to drop quite quickly this year in the world rankings. He has always been competitive at the US Open and he is healthy and playing well again." In 2003 at Olympia Fields, Singh equaled US Open scoring records with a second-round 63 and a back-nine 29. Bureau Report