Finally healthy, Singh finds his game at PGA National

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Vijay Singh has yet to finish in the top 25 on TOUR this year.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Vijay Singh remains the only player not named Tiger Woods to be the world's top-ranked golfer in this century.

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For 32 weeks, from late 2004 to mid-2005, Singh held the No. 1 spot.

But that seems so long ago.

A check at the latest Official World Golf Rankings for Singh's name requires of a bit of a scan these days. Ranked as high as No. 5 to start the 2009 season, Singh has plunged all the way to No. 35 (actually improving two spots from last week, even though he didn't play). This season marks the first time he has fallen out of the top 20 in the rankings since 1997.

Asked if he pays much attention to his world ranking Thursday, Singh shook his head.

"I don't know where I am now," he said, "But I know I'm not supposed to be there. Bottom line, if you play well, the rankings are going to fix themselves."

Singh took a positive step Thursday with a 3-under 67 in the Honda Classic to move into a sixth-place tie, two shots behind playing partner Nathan Green and Michael Connell, after the first round at PGA National.

That's quite a pleasant change from a recent stretch in which Singh posted just three top-10 finishes in his last 25 starts. Singh's troubles began early last year when he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, admittedly returned too fast and ended up with a bad back to go along with a sore knee that eventually required a second surgery in December.

After 11 consecutive top-five finishes on the PGA TOUR's money list -- highlighted by winning the FedExCup in 2008 -- Singh slumped to a career-worst 68th spot on last season's money list.

"Last year was a big downer for me," Singh said. "I had a lot of injuries that I had to deal with, and when I played, it kind of made it even worse. I'm trying to forget last year and make a new start."

Singh has often been characterized as a range rat, someone who has moved more dirt in his day than a fleet of bulldozers. Truth is, it's been the Fijian's work in the gym that turned him into a modern-day version of Jack LaLanne on the PGA TOUR.

It was this profound work ethic that enabled Singh to overcome early struggles in the sport -- he once was giving lessons in the jungle of Borneo after losing his card on the Asian Tour -- and to have the kind of longevity few players have enjoyed in the sport.

That's why 22 of Singh's 34 career TOUR titles came in his 40s, eclipsing the mark long held by Sam Snead (17). But Singh doesn't get too excited about what he's done in his 40s.

"I don't think about that," he said. "I'm thinking about getting more wins."

Green, Honda's co-leader and one of his partners Thursday, has no doubt Singh will lift more trophies. Green said he felt like he had to grind on every shot on the difficult Champion Course, while it seemed as if Singh's game was in cruise control.

"It was like he was playing in a Sunday game with a couple of his mates," Green said. "His ball-striking and his control of the golf ball, especially with his long irons in the wind, it's just that different level. You sort of don't realize he's 47 when you're playing with him.

"His game is strong. He's had a lot of success in his 40s. The shape he keeps in, he's pretty much equivalent to any of the guys out here in their 30s. He's looking after himself and reaping those rewards."

Singh has heard the whispers wondering if, after all those years of hitting balls and the weight room, he's nearing the end of his prime. He's ready to prove everyone wrong -- again.

"I think it's going to be a good year," he said. "Physically, I'm great again. My game is better than it's been in a long, long time."

Only 13 players have won more career PGA TOUR titles than Singh's 34, and none of them were born outside the U.S. Imagine what he's going to do in less than three years when he becomes eligible for the Champions Tour.

Actually, Singh won't even go there, mentally.

"I'm really not looking forward to even talking about the Champions Tour now," Singh said. "Kenny Perry had a great season last year and he's almost 50 and I'm a lot healthier and fitter than Kenny Perry, so I think I can go a long ways."

Singh already has.