American golfer Brandt Snedeker lived up to his top billing at the Fiji International, running away with a comprehensive nine shot victory at Natadola Bay.
The 35 year old was the top ranked player in the field and closed with a four under par 68 to finish 16 under the card.
"Couldn't have asked for a better start to the day: a birdie in the first hole out of the gate, two in my first three, being three under after six kind of went my way, hit a lot of quality golf shots and just never really let up," he said.
"I hit one bad shot on ten and got lucky and made a long put for bogey there, besides that I played great so great way to cap off the week. I didn't give any back today, really, and really happy with the way I finished."
Brandt Snedeker on the beach with the Fiji International trophy. Photo: PGA of Australia
The Nashville born golfer had a three shot lead heading into the final day but said he never thought he could win by such a large margin.
"This golf course is so brutal that I knew if I thought about that for a second it could be a big number waiting on me - it about happened on ten, I was able to survive there and just kept my head down and kept going all day long," he said.
"Eventually I had a couple of good looks at birdie on the back nine, never really happened but it kind of worked out perfectly today because it was playing so tough. Nobody was able to make a run, there was no low scores out there so kind of made by job a lot easier."
New Zealander Michael Hendry recorded an even par round to finish outright second on seven under par.
Brandt Snedeker's family embrace him after he wins the Fiji International. Photo: PGA of Australia
Local hopes fade
Vijay Singh is already looking forward a revamped Natadola Bay golf course after a frustrating time on home soil.
The 53 year old was a top ten finisher the past two years but had to settle for a share of 21st place at two under par.
The former world number one said a bad second round proved costly.
"It was a disappointing week...I would have loved to have played a little better but also I'm glad that I'm out of this wind," he said.
"Looking forward to redoing the golf course, for the better I hope. It's going to be good - it will be more playable: not so kind of guiding your shots all the way around, it will be more free to hit whatever you need to hit, and the green concept is going to be better so I'm looking forward to it."
Vijay Singh played with fellow Fijian Sam Lee over the weekend and said he was impressed by the 26 year old, who finished one over for the tournament in a share of 33rd place.
Fiji golfer Vijay Singh Photo: PGA of Australia
