Singh - not a big public favourite (Getty)

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Vijay Singh goes into the defence of his USPGA championship having appeared to label other players as "fakes" in how they act.

The world No2 was asked on the eve of the event at Baltusrol in New Jersey about his relationship with the public and whether there was a hesitation to embrace him.

Singh, whose early career was clouded in controversy over an Asian tour ban for cheating, has long felt the main problem is that he does not get good press.

And he replied: "I don't know what I need to do to win (over) you guys. I'm not going to beg.

"I'm not the guy to go down there and get on my knees and say 'Hey, write good things about me.' I'm not going to do that.

"I've not done anything to not win your confidence.

"I'm a player, I'm an athlete, I go out there to play golf tournaments and I speak my mind out - and I am very honest about it.

"I'm not a fake like many guys out there."

And by that it was assumed he meant other players.

"So you write whatever you want to write," added Singh.

"But write what I say, don't mix things over. And that's the way I am.

"I do not say things to please you guys. I do not do that.

"I say what I want to say, which is right in my mind, and that's the way I am, that's the way I always will be and I think that's the best way to be."

Singh was then asked if he felt under-appreciated.

"In my mind, no. I'm not really concerned about how you guys feel about that.

"In my mind I feel like I've achieved.

"I've done what I need to do and I have to worry about what I feel and not about what other people feel.

"I feel great about my game, myself and what I have done.

"If you look back and see where I've come from I think there's a big difference out there."

Like main rival Tiger Woods, Singh is seeking his third USPGA title this week and the long course set-up, plus the injury absence of Ernie Els, makes the two of them strong favourites.

Woods has the edge in the betting because of his victories in the Masters and Open and second place finish in the US Open, but Singh has had top six finishes in all three majors this season as well and got the better of the world number one in their last tournament two weeks ago.

The two are not close friends, but on that Singh points out: "I don't go to dinner with 95% of the guys on tour or maybe 99%. So why single Tiger out?

"I've never had a drink with Phil Mickelson. Why doesn't anyone talk about that? For that matter, Retief (Goosen) or whoever.

"Don't make a big deal out of nothing."