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Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Blue-collar guys take golf games to pinnacle
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Larry Nelson was either in the jungle or a rice paddy during his two years in the Vietnam War, enough time to learn the difference between a land leech and a water leech. Vijay Singh toiled in the rain forest of Borneo, giving golf lessons for $10 and spending every free minute on his game.
Both took an unimaginable route to one of golf's greatest honors Monday night when they were inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, a celebration of blue-collar success.
"This is one of the biggest achievements in my life," Singh said.
Nelson, a squad leader for the 198th Infantry, never touched a golf club until he returned from Vietnam. He went on to win three majors, including the 1983 U.S. Open at Oakmont, and remains the only American to go 5-0 in a Ryder Cup.
Singh relied on a relentless ethic as he worked his way out of Borneo, onto the European Tour and eventually to the United States where he rose to No. 1 in the world ranking by winning nine times in 2004, the highlight of an eventful career that brought him three majors -- including the PGA Championship at Sahalee in 1998 -- and 29 victories on the PGA Tour.
They were inducted along with former Masters and PGA champion Henry Picard; Marilynn Smith, one of the 13 founders of the LPGA Tour who won 21 times and two majors; and IMG founder Mark McCormack, who reshaped sports management with clients ranging from Arnold Palmer to Tiger Woods.
Their induction brings Hall of Fame membership to 114.
Nelson and Singh were elected on the PGA Tour ballot. Nelson received 65 percent of the vote, the minimum required.
Singh was elected last year with 56 percent of the vote but deferred his induction because of a commitment to play overseas. He still got in because of a clause whereby if no one receives 65 percent the vote, the player with the most votes is in as long he gets at least 50 percent.
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