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Published on October 27, 2007

Back in 2003, the 44-year-old Singh had been considered a relative underachiever despite all his talent and work ethic. He often wilted when it came to crunch situations.

As upset as he might have felt, Singh had no idea what was wrong despite his practising harder than anyone else. The Fijian tried to find a solution by turning to religion. The result has been more effective than he could have envisaged. He has become cool, calm and collected while playing. Singh was introduced to Luang Phor Singha, the abbot of Wat Pai Lueng in Nonthaburi province, by an aide of his close friend Santi Bhirombhakdi, the Boonrawd Brewery chief executive, five years ago.

Singh's teachings on meditation and concentration turned the underachiever into the golfer who managed to end Tiger Woods' outstanding streak of 264 weeks at the top of the golf world in 2004.

The three-time Major champion Singh has a tight schedule in Thailand. He is due to take part in the Vijay Singh Challenge at the Santi Buri golf course in Samui and hold a clinic for talented golfers.

But when the idea of visiting the abbot was mooted to him, he jumped at the opportunity to again meet the person he holds in such high regard. Moreover, it could hardly have come at a better time for Singh, who felt his mind was preoccupied with a number of things.

"Several places I go are connected to religion, especially Buddhism. It makes me feel good. I am completely at peace when I am in Thailand. It's my spiritual home. In fact, I have a very good relationship with Buddhists everywhere," said Singh, who received an amulet from the abbot. The current world No 12 said, however, that mediation had not resulted in any dramatic changes to his actual game. "It doesn't help my game. It just makes me feel good. It's nothing to do with my golf. I just came here to pay my respect to the priest. And just like people in the West who go to churches, I go to the temple.

"It calms me down, sure, but I don't meditate as such. I do think a lot about breathing stuff and the field of meditation. It clears the mind. It puts you in a peaceful plane. It's pretty rough out there on the PGA Tour," he added.

Kitinan Sanguansak The Nation