Vijay Singh Wins SAS Championship in Cary

The veteran golfer secured his first victory in three years by defeating Ernie Els by two strokes.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Golf

Vijay Singh Wins SAS Championship in Cary

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Vijay Singh captured the SAS Championship title, finishing two strokes ahead of runner-up Ernie Els. The win marks Singh's sixth career PGA Tour Champions victory and his first since the 2023 Ally Challenge.

Why it matters

The victory secures Singh a spot in the PGA Tour Champions Playoffs, moving him to 33rd place in the Schwab Cup standings. This performance is a pivotal turnaround for the golfer, who faced a last-minute caddie change just days before the tournament began.

Singh secured the victory with a two-stroke margin over runner-up Ernie Els, bringing his total PGA Tour Champions title count to six. He now sits 33rd in the Schwab Cup standings as the field of 72 players enters the playoffs.

The players

Vijay Singh

He is a professional golfer and former world number one known for his work ethic and extensive career on both the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions.

Ernie Els

He is a World Golf Hall of Fame member and major championship winner who competes regularly on the PGA Tour Champions.

Wayne De Haas

He is a professional golf caddie who previously worked with Singh at the 2026 Masters held at Augusta National.

The details

Singh hired Wayne De Haas via a telephone call on the Tuesday before the tournament after his regular caddie fired him earlier that week. Despite the personal circumstances surrounding De Haas, whose father passed away during the competition, Singh maintained his focus to seal the win with a final putt on Sunday.

Vijay Singh won the Ally Challenge in 2023.
The SAS Championship took place in October 2026.
Singh finished the tournament with his final putt on October 18, 2026.

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Season Trajectory

This win fundamentally alters Singh's standing within the PGA Tour Champions Playoffs structure. By climbing to 33rd, he improves his odds of advancing past the Stifel Charity Classic and toward the limited 36-player field at the season-ending championship.

Singh is now locked into the 72-man playoff field, directly impacting the qualification bubble for the subsequent Stifel Charity Classic. He must remain inside the top 54 players after that event to reach the Simmons Bank Championship.

The takeaway

The win underscores the volatility of professional golf, where last-minute personnel changes can unexpectedly lead to success. Singh's ability to win under pressure proves his continued relevance at the top level of the senior tour.