Singh holds off Daly in impressive Buick Open battle

The Fijian credited the win to a change in putters.
GRAND BLANC, Mich. (AP) -- Even before the Buick Open leaders started the final round, the sights and sounds were interesting.
When Vijay Singh walked to the driving range, John Daly playfully chipped a shot at him. The crowd thought it was hilarious, and both players did, too.
Later, Singh took a break to watch Daly clear a fence 290 yards away.
"We're good friends, but it was serious once we got out there," Singh said.
It was, at least, after they shared more laughs on and around the first tee.
Then, the smiles disappeared for the most part, and Singh showed -- again -- why he's one of the best players in the world.
Singh outlasted Daly on Sunday, closing with a 5-under 67 for his fourth victory of the year and 19th on the PGA Tour. The big Fijian finished at 23-under 265.
Daly, vying for multiple wins in one year for the first time, finished a stroke back after shooting a 66 -- and bogeying the 18th hole.
Fun
"It was fun, but it was also a lot of work out," Singh said.
In his last tournament before the PGA Championship -- in two weeks -- Tiger Woods shot a 66 to tie for third with Carlos Franco (67) at 21 under.
"To play that well and not win is frustrating," said Woods, who will look to snap his streak without a major victory at nine at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
A massive gallery roared when Daly was introduced at the first tee and just politely clapped for Singh in a preview of what was to come.
As they walked down the first fairway, Singh patted Daly on the back and both chuckled as fans hooted and hollered best wishes toward Daly.
Singh seemed to get a kick out of the rock-star reception for Daly and later said it motivated him.
"The more they made noise, the more calm I became," he said.
Singh's bogey at 18 created an opportunity for Daly to force a playoff, but Daly was unable to take advantage of the break.
"I told him, 'You know, I'm sorry that somebody had to win,' " Singh said.
Singh is just the third two-time Buick Open champion and the first since Julius Boros in 1967. Tony Lema won at Warwick Hills a second straight time in 1965.
Singh had 10 previous top-10 finishes this year, but since winning consecutive tournaments three months ago, he had just two top-five finishes. He tied for 28th in the U.S. Open and 20th in the British Open.
Changed putter
The Fijian played well in the Buick Open after changing his putter, going back to a standard version after using a long one for 2 1/2 years.
"The way I putted for the last two months, I could not possibly have putted worse," he said.
Singh also said earlier in the week that he stopped worrying about chasing Woods in the world rankings where Woods is No. 1 and Singh is third.
Singh won his seventh straight tournament when he at least shared the lead after 54 holes, dating to the 2002 Houston Open.
The final round turned into virtual match play between Singh and Daly.
"We were in it all the way," Daly said. "I was either 1-up, or he was 1-up."
Daly made an eagle from 142 yards at the par-4 No. 2, causing the crowd to erupt with applause as he pulled into a tie at 19 under. He took the lead with a birdie on the third hole and kept a one-shot lead until Singh's birdie at No. 12 knotted them up at 22 under.
"I got off to a better start that I thought I could, but Vijay kept coming back," Daly said. "You aren't going to rattle many guys on this tour, but especially not guys like Vijay, Tiger and Phil [Mickelson]."
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