PO‘IPU — Michelle Wie has to wait, but not Tadd Fujikawa, another Honolulu teenager, who carded a 3-under-par 141 36-hole total in a sectional qualifier at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course yesterday, earning a spot in the 2006 U.S. Open
PO‘IPU — Michelle Wie has to wait, but not Tadd Fujikawa, another Honolulu teenager, who carded a 3-under-par 141 36-hole total in a sectional qualifier at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course yesterday, earning a spot in the 2006 U.S. Open Championship.
“I’m speechless. It hasn’t sunken it just yet,” Fujikawa, 15, said. “I played great. The wind really picked up, but I made clutch putts. My putter really was the big difference.”
With most of his immediate family in attendance yesterday, watching his every move, the 5’1” Moanalua High School freshman played beyond his age by swinging to his highest achievement.
“This is definitely the biggest win for me,” Fujikawa said. “It’s the U.S. Open!”
Fujikawa was one shot back of first round leader David Havens of Lahaina, who shot a 2-under-par 70 heading into the second 18 holes.
“I just kept attacking,” Fujikawa said. “If I hit the ball well, I knew I could make the putts.”
Fujikawa also becomes the second youngest competitor in U.S. Open history and the youngest since 1941, when 14-year-old Tyrell Garth made the cut for the prestigious tournament.
“At first my age came into play, but I’ve played enough against experienced players and professionals that it really doesn’t bother me anymore,” Fujikawa said.
In the first round, Fujikawa birdied the first two holes, parred 3-8, and bogied No. 9 for a 35 on the front nine.
He then parred the first five holes on the back nine and birdied No. 15, but bogied No. 16, finishing with two pars for a total of 36, which gave him a 71.
“I just wanted to let it happen and not force anything,” Fujikawa said.
He mixed in two birdies (No. 1 and No. 5) with seven pars on the front nine of round two, for a 34.
On the back nine, Fujikawa zeroed in on the prize without knowing.
“I didn’t even know I was ahead,” Fujikawa said. “I just kept attacking.”
He parred every other hole but No. 14 (birdie) and No. 17 (bogey), where he made a huge 10-foot putt, which made the difference in the sectional qualifier.
At 5’1” Fujikawa stood as the shortest player in the 10-player field, but a steady putter and a reliable person on the bag, may have been his biggest advantages.
“It was great help from my coach (Kevin Ralbovsky). He read a lot of my putts, which relieved a lot of the pressure for me to sink them,” Fujikawa said.
Up next for the Hawai‘i junior golfer is the biggest tournament of his young career — the 2006 U.S. Open Championship at the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. on June 15-18.
“We’re going to have to find tickets fast,” Fujikawa’s grandfather said. “We’re all flying up there. It’s a special moment for all of us.”
Last year’s Hawai‘i U.S. Open hopeful, Pierre-Henri Soero failed to make the cut.
For Fujikawa, it’s win-win situation.
“When I get there, I’ll just let everything happen,” Fujikawa said. “I’ve dreamed about this from when I first started golfing, so I’m just going to give it my best and enjoy the moment.”
Rounding out the top five at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course sectional qualifier were Lahaina’s Havens (142) and Darren Summers (144), and four others, who shot 148 (Kahulu‘i’s Brian Sasada, and Honolulu’s Philip Chun, Alex Ching, and Joe Phengsavath).
Dean Wilson, a Honolulu native, also qualified for the U.S. Open at the Ohio sectional qualifier.
U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier
June 5, Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course
1) *Tadd Fujikawa, 71-70-141, -3
2) David Havens, 70-72-142, -2
3) Darren Summers, 72-72-144, E
t-4) Brian Sasada, 75-73-148, +4
t-4) Philip Chun, 76-72-148, +4
t-4) Joe Phengsavath, 74-74-148, +4
t-4) Alex Ching, 73-75-148, +4
8) Casey Watabu, 74-78-152, +8
9) Ron Castillo Jr., 77-76-153, +9
10) Eric Horner, 83-75-158, +14
*Qualifies for U.S. Open
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
