Maui Golf Journal

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz Championship, at Kapalua, commences on New Year’s Eve, 2007. To provide total coverage of this great event, we will recap what occured during the 2007 Championship, give you as much pertainent information as is available about the 2008 event in advance, and then we will run a multi-page 2008 Tournament Report insert after the event.

Vijay, in 2006, had just come off his least productive season in five years. The 43-year-old showed he was still a force to be reckoned with when he dominated during the final round on Sunday closing with a 3-under 70 for a two-shot victory over Adam Scott.

It was the 30th victory of his PGA TOUR career, and his 18th since turning 40—eclipsing the previous record held by Sam Snead.

A runner-up two out of the last three years, the Fijiian was due, and in the end, Singh left the Plantation Course at Kapalua with a winner's lei around his neck and the keys to a new Mercedes-Benz which he pledged to give to his son. This time, no one stood a chance. He doubled the size of his three-shot lead after two holes, and only a late charge by Scott kept it interesting.

Singh finished at 14-under 278 and along with $1.1 million to push him over $50 million for his career, he earned 4,500 points for the new FedExCup competition.

The tour is calling this the "new era in golf," and while the young phenom, Adam Scott, trailed by only three that Sunday, Singh never flinched while en route to his victory.

Singh had only one victory in his last 35 starts on the PGA TOUR, and the broad shouldered power hitter who had once climbed to No. 1 in the world, had slid all the way down to 7th on the money list by the end of 2006.

The hardest-working man in golf (at least by most acounts), was unhappy with his swing, so, during the off season, he worked on his game, while others rested. It apparently paid off.

Singh also switched to a belly putter, and the swing improvements and swing changes made all the difference. After the first round, Singh was in a five-way tie for the lead, and as each round was played, he continuted to widen the gap.

Singh ties Leo Diegel for 16th in career PGA TOUR victories. He had, at the time, 18 victories in his 40s. That's as many as Hall of Famer Nick Price won during his entire career on tour.

When asked about that, Singh replied with a laugh: "Anyone who says 43 is old, they can go to hell."

Since 1953, a Tournament of Champions has played out the best-of-the-best every year in the PGA Tour. Legendary golf destination Kapalua Resort has been its home since 1999 and the tournament is now known as the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Each January, an elite field of the previous year’s PGA Tour winners tee off on hole number one, which introduces the character, scale and drama of the course about to be played.

The Plantation Course (par 73, 7,411 yards) is at once breathtaking and heartwarming. This is where David Duval won the first Mercedes Championships held at Kapalua Resort; where Tiger Woods hoisted the champion’s trophy in 2000 and subsequently lost it to Jim Furyk; where Sergio Garcia practically danced home when he claimed victory; where Ernie Els won by eight shots in 2003; where Stuart Appleby held the title for three years in a row and where Vijay Singh came back to claim it in 2007.

From December 31, 2007 through January 6, 2008, The Plantation Course will once again stage the drama that unfolds during the PGA Tour’s season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Professional practice rounds are held on Monday and Tuesday, January 1. On Wednesday, a Pro-Am tournament takes place, featuring celebrities who draw as much attention as the PGA TOUR champions. Thursday through Sunday showcases the first through final rounds of the championship, which are aired on national television.

Tickets are sold for each day of the tournament with a special price for the first two days of practice rounds. The price for Saturday and Sunday’s final rounds is slightly higher. A Season Pass is available, which is valid for each day of the tournament and allows grounds access all week. Children aged 16 years and under can get in free at the gate when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Tickets may be purchased online at any time through the website kapalua.com but prices go up after December 30.

The field of approximately 34 qualifiers is regularly being filled as tournaments produce winners throughout the year. Some of the players for 2008 (as you can see from adjacent side bar) include five-time champion Tiger Woods and two-time winners Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, K.J. Choi and Zach Johnson.

Amateur golfers quickly fill the available spots in the Pro-Am through the Mercedes-

Benz Championship Amateur Program. The program features many amenities and exclusive opportunities that are not available to the public:

One entry in the 36-hole All-Amateur Tournament on Sunday, December 30, at The Plantation Course and Monday, December 31 at The Bay Course; one entry in the

18-hole Mercedes-Benz Championship Pro-Am on Wednesday, January 2 at The Plantation Course; up to two complimentary golf rounds at The Bay Course, December 30 - January 6; invitation for two to the Pro-Am Draw Party on Monday, December 31 invitation for two to the Gala Party on Friday, January 4; invitation for two to the Champion’s Reception immediately following awards presentation; admission for two to the invitation-only Mercedes-Benz Championship Hospitality Tent (in The Plantation House Restaurant for breakfast and lunch buffets) January 2 - 6; admission for two to the Mercedes-Benz Championship exclusive skybox seating on the 18th green of The Plantation Course during the tournament; special tee gift package.

The legend of this tournament of champions is perfectly paired with Kapalua Resort, combining the best in natural beauty, challenging greens and champion players. For info, call 1-877-KAPALUA.

“My desire is to win as many as possible and I’m going to go out there and do my best,” Vijay Singh said.