Drought Over

Finally," Vijay Singh said with a sigh after his victory in the Barclays Classic at the Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y. He didn't need to say much else. For 11 months the former world No. 1 had been a picture of frustration. It was bad enough that his 21-start winless stretch dating to the 2005 Buick Open followed one of the game's most fertile periods ever (17 victories between January 2003 and August '05), but the way his results mocked his effort level had been maddening: A guy who spends most of his life with either a golf club or a barbell in his hands expects to win. He broke the streak with a bloodlessly efficient performance at Westchester, a 10-under 274, good for a two-stroke victory over Adam Scott. The win doesn't guarantee that Singh will contend at this week's U.S. Open, but it at least suggests that he is once again capable of being in the hunt. In truth, when it comes to the Open, Singh may have preferred to wait a week to end his drought. No one has ever won the Open after winning the previous week's Tour event, making it the only major championship with that dubious distinction.... The win was Singh's 17th since turning 40, tying Sam Snead's record, and his third at Westchester, making Singh and Jack Nicklaus the only players to win there three times.... Singh finished 13th in the 1997 PGA at Winged Foot.

Open Season

During the week of his 18th U.S. Open, Fred Funk turns 50, which means that three weeks later, on July 6--9, he'll play in his first U.S. Senior Open at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kans. "I've heard a lot of guys are having a lot of fun out there on the Champions tour," Funk says. "These guys are not necessarily playing for money. They simply want to feel that competition." Maybe, but if Funk wants to pad his bank account, he'd better reap his senior windfall fast. The list of players who turn 50 in 2007 includes Seve Ballesteros, John Cook, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Mark O'Meara, Nick Price and Jeff Sluman.

ALSO ...

? Marilynn Smith, one of the founders of the LPGA and a 21-time winner, was selected for induction to the World Golf Hall of Fame in the lifetime achievement category. She will enter the hall on Oct. 30 along with Singh, Larry Nelson and Henry Picard. ?With the Open looming, 16 players withdrew from the Barclays, including Jim Furyk, who reportedly injured his back while brushing his teeth.

? For daily U.S. Open coverage, go to SI.com/golf.