2005 Sony Open in Hawaii Singh Steals the Show at the Sony By Sports Network - January 16, 2005 HONOLULU -- Vijay Singh birdied the 72nd hole on Sunday to win the Sony Open in Hawaii by one stroke over Ernie Els, who won here in 2003 and 2004. Singh posted a 5-under 65 in the final round to finish at 11-under-par 269. "I'm glad. I'd prepared for this event pretty well and I had always come close before," said Singh, who earned $864,000 for the win. "I just hung in there. I had a lot of chances at birdie on the back nine, but I didn't take advantage until the last one." Els made a dramatic eagle putt on the final hole to match the course record of 8-under 62 to come in at 10-under-par 270. Shigeki Maruyama, who held the lead after rounds two and three, struggled to a final-round 71 to end the event at minus-9. He was joined in a tie for third place by Charles Howell III, who posted a 3-under 67 in the final round. Singh opened the final round four strokes behind Maruyama. However, the Fijian stuck his second shot within 2 feet to setup birdie on the second at Waialae Country Club. Singh posted six straight pars before making his move. The top player in the world birdied the par-5 ninth to get to minus-8. Singh came right back with an 18-foot birdie putt at the 10th to get within one of Maruyama and Robert Gamez, who posted a 3-under 32 on the front nine to grab a tie for the lead at minus-10. Singh joined them atop the leaderboard as he rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt at the 11th. As Singh converted his par putt on the 12th, he heard the roar of the crowd from the 18th as Els drained a 16-foot eagle putt to jump to minus-10 to create a four-way tie for the lead. Gamez fell off the pace as he bogeyed four straight holes on the back nine. Maruyama dropped shots at the 12th and 14th to drop behind Els and Singh. Singh, who parred Nos. 12-17, shared the lead with Els as he stepped to the 18th tee. The reigning PGA Championship winner crushed his drive down the middle, carrying his drive over 310 yards in the air.