Injury forces Singh to withdraw from Asian events

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FedExCup champion Vijay Singh has pulled out of two major tournaments in Asia next month because of a forearm injury.

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Vijay Singh poses with the FedExCup.

Tendinitis in Singh's left forearm will cause him to miss the Iskandar Johor Open from Oct 30-Nov 2 and the HSBC Champions in Shanghai from Nov 6-9.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Singh said doctors had ordered him to rest to reduce the impact of the injury for the 2009 season.

Tendinitis is the inflammation, irritation and swelling of the forearm due to overuse, injury (strain or tear) and/or aging of the tendon.

"I am very disappointed to miss the Iskandar Johor Open and the HSBC events as I was looking forward to returning to Asia this Fall," Singh said.

"As disappointing as it will be to miss the tournaments, it is important that I follow my doctor's instructions and do what is best for my long-term health," he added.

Singh had won three events in 2008 including the Barclays and the Deutsche Bank Championship during the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. The victories put him in third place in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Meanwhile, Iskandar Johor Open organizing committee chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman wished Singh speedy recovery and hoped he would be able to make it for the 2009 edition.

"We are obviously also very disappointed. But I understand from his manager that his injury is serious and will need two months of rest," said Ghani, who is also the Johor Chief Minister.

"We wish him speedy recovery and although he will not be able to make it to our shores this year, we hope that he will make it to the Iskandar Johor Open next year," he added.

Ghani stressed that all preparations for the Iskandar Johor Open were in full swing. "We are looking into the feasibility of engaging another player of equal standing as Singh to sign up for the championship," he said.

The Iskandar Johor Open, which offers total prize money of $500,000, has already attracted some of the top Asian professionals and local talents such as Ben Leong and Airil Rizman.