Vijay Singh of Fiji won his fourth Barclays Classic title on Sunday after beating Spain's Sergio Garcia and American Kevin Sutherland in a playoff. Singh birdied both playoff holes at Ridgewood Country Club on the way to snaring the title. A three-time winner of the event when it was played across the Hudson River at Westchester Country Club, Singh matched Garcia's birdie on the first playoff hole (18th) while Sutherland was eliminated. The 45-year-old Singh then birdied the par-five 17th to close out world number four Garcia, who hit his tee shot into the left rough, punched out into the right rough and narrowly missed a birdie chip. “I convinced myself I'm the best putter in the world,” said Singh. “I came out here with a different attitude, and I putted great this week.” The three players finished locked at eight-under 276, a shot better than Australian Mathew Goggin, 2003 British Open winner Ben Curtis and his fellow-American Kevin Streelman, the overnight leader. Singh shot a final-round of 70, as did Garcia. Sutherland posted a 68 to join the playoff. “What can you do?” shrugged Garcia. “You can't take it the wrong way. I think the most important thing about it is that I keep putting myself in a good position. Unfortunately somebody just seems to be able to come up with some spectacular playing.” Singh collected $1.26 million for the win and took the points lead after this opening event of the four-tournament, PGA Tour FedExCup playoff series. Tied at six-under-par 278 were Britons Paul Casey and Martin Laird, Canada's Mike Weir and Americans Justin Leonard and Nicholas Thompson. Singh seized a share of the lead for the first time on the 17th when he two-putted from 20 feet for birdie. “It was a tough day,” said Singh, who also won this month's WGC-Bridgestone. “Nobody had a two-shot lead at any point. It was a tough day, but it was a great playoff. I enjoyed that. “I love New York,” he said about playing in the metropolitan area. “It's a great place, great tournament and hopefully I can top it off again next year.” Kerr captures Classic In Oregon, Cristie Kerr birdied the first hole of a three-way playoff Sunday to capture the $1.7 million LPGA Safeway Classic. Kerr closed with a 7-under-par 65 to get to 13-under 203 and force a playoff with Helen Alfredsson and Sophie Gustafson at Columbia Edgewater Country Club. A birdie from 15 feet at the first playoff hole gave Kerr her 11th career LPGA Tour victory and $255,000 in first place prize money. Alfredsson entered Sunday's final round with a one-stroke lead and closed with a 69. Gustafson signed for a 68 to earn a spot in the playoff. Katherine Hull, who captured the Canadian Women's Open last week, finished fourth at 11-under after a 67. Defending champion Lorena Ochoa finished in a tie for sixth at 7-under. – Agencies __
