The Former 2018 Slovenian Tour Order of Merit Winner, the one and only Irish Vijay, will be inducted into the 2025 class of the Slovenian Golf Hall of Fame. Known for his plaid outfits, unique putting style, and an unusual club selection strategy, Vijay has left an indelible mark on the Slovenian golfing community.
Vijay is perhaps best remembered for his spectacular come-from-behind victory at the 2017 Novo Mesto Open. Trailing by seven shots to the formidable Jaka Krajn, Vijay pulled off what can only be described as a golfing miracle. Armed with just four clubs in his bag – a driver, seven iron, five iron, and a 64-degree wedge – Vijay staged a breathtaking comeback, proving that sometimes, less is indeed more.
This epic victory was not just a testament to his skill but also to his quirky approach to the game. "Why carry 14 clubs when four will do?" Vijay quipped in a post-match interview. “The sight of him strolling the fairways barefoot, resplendent in his colorful outfits – he was truly the Slovenian Seve,” said former tour player Anze Potocnik.
Over a prolific three-year period, Vijay clinched nine victories on the Slovenian Tour, solidifying his status as a golfing legend in a country where golf isn't the first sport that comes to mind. His achievements on the greens, however, ensured that golf in Slovenia would never be the same again. Vijay's colorful presence and eccentric style injected a fresh, vibrant energy into the Slovenian golf scene, attracting a legion of fans who might otherwise never have picked up a golf club.
One might wonder how a former UK golfer found his way to Slovenian golf stardom. As Vijay tells it, it all started with a wrong turn heading to a tournament in Hungary. "After washing out of European Tour Q School a few times, I was on my way to an event near Budapest, but I ended up in Slovenia. I found a lovely golf course, and the rest, as they say, is history," he recounts with a laugh. Vijay, who learned golf from watching 1980s VHS videos of former American swing guru Mac O’Grady, would later become one of the first players to practice short game at night under flood lights.
Since retiring from professional golf, Vijay has relocated to the United States, where he has regained his amateur status. But his passion for excellence hasn't waned. Instead of dominating fairways, he's now breeding champion Lhasa Apsos. "Golf and dog breeding have a lot in common," he muses. "Both require patience, precision, and a lot of love. Plus, dogs don't care if you shoot 78."
Vijay will join four other golfers in the class including Milo Pevec. “My time in Slovenia was remarkable and I treasured every moment. The people accepted me with open arms. Traveling from village to village, introducing golf to the local communities, sampling delicious Struklji, it was truly special,” said Vijay.
Slovenian golf enthusiasts are planning to celebrate by hosting a barefoot tournament in his honor. Jaka Krajn, his old rival, graciously acknowledged Vijay's impact on the sport. "He may have beaten me with just four clubs, but he did more for Slovenian golf than anyone other than maybe Petor Mlinar.”
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