HUMBLE, Texas - Vijay Singh had a bunch of pars, two timely birdies and one big break to win the Shell Houston Open.

Taking advantage of John Daly's errant playoff drive that skipped into the water, Singh overcame putting problems and a long birdie drought Sunday to win the tournament for the second straight year and third time in four years.

"You've got to have patience," Singh said. "I guess through experience you have to have patience to win golf tournaments, and that's what I achieved this week.

"You never give up, I guess, just hang in there and see what happens."

Daly, who birdied the final two holes for a 5-under 67 to match Singh at 13-under 275, sent his drive on the first extra hole, the par-4 18th, into the water. Then, after a drop, Daly sent his third over the green.

"I'm proud of myself for coming back like that and hitting some shots when I needed to," Daly said. "I wished I could have done better in the playoff."

Singh, who had 13 straight pars before his only birdies of the day at the 14th and 15th holes, calmly sank another par for the win, his second of the year and 26th of his career.

"In the past, when you get frustrated and you start going at the flag, that's where you make bogeys and totally put yourself out of contention," Singh said.

The 42-year-old Fijian capped a big week, in which he was named the newest member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

"I think the timing is perfect," he said. "That's all I can say. It does make you feel good."

Despite falling short, Daly was also pleased with his performance.

"I take it that under pressure that maybe I've still got it," he said.

"If I was in the crowd I'd probably say the same," Singh said. "Everyone loves John. If I was in there, I would have wanted to see a playoff anyway.

"It didn't bother me at all."

Singh had putting problems from the beginning. He missed a 4-footer at No. 2 and two-putted from 20 feet at No. 6. A 44-foot attempt on the par-3 5th hole missed by 3 inches, but he stayed alive making 13 straight pars. At 18, his birdie attempt that would have prevented overtime just missed.

"I was putting well, the lines were just really difficult to read," Singh said. "I made my birdies at the right time. But that's where you have to have patience. I did that very well today."

Daly, three shots off the lead going into Sunday, had three birdies and two bogeys in the front half of his fourth round, then had a birdie at No. 12, converting a 5-footer. He followed with the birdie at 15, then 17 and 18.

Singh started the day tied for the lead with Australian Gavin Coles, a non-winner making only his 35th Tour start. Coles faltered on the back nine, shot 3-over 75 and finished five shots back at 280 along with five other players.

"I really enjoyed myself out there," he said. "First time in that situation, it was great."

With the win, Singh earned $900,000 to pass Tiger Woods for second place on the money list with $3,836,413, just $6,043 behind leader Phil Mickelson. Singh also pushed his career total to $40.5 million, second only to Woods.

Jose Maria Olazabal (70) finished third at 11 under, and Darren Clarke (67) and Greg Owen (72) tied for fourth at 10 under.

Divots Singh is the first back-to-back winner of

the Houston Open, the 10th-oldest event on the Tour. ... Singh's victory is his 14th since turning 40, second only to Sam Snead's 17. ... Coles made $140,416 with his 7th-place finish, nearly equaling his career earnings of $151,529.

AP-ES-04-25-05 0338EDT