OMEGA EUROPEAN MASTERS
Fujikawa finishes with a flair
By Susanne Kemper
Special to the Star-Bulletin
CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland » Hawaii's Tadd Fujikawa didn't make the cut yesterday at the European PGA Tour's Omega European Masters, but he still managed a fabulous finish with a double eagle at the final hole.
Fujikawa had a tough second day overall. The 5-foot-1 Moanalua High junior said, "I had a really bad round, didn't play well. I had no quality ball-striking, and couldn't make a putt. I was trying to have fun out there, but it isn't fun when you are playing like that."
That is, until the final hole, which is a par-5, 632-yard uphill dogleg, where Fujikawa hit a superb drive, leaving 285 yards to the pin. He blasted a 3-wood up the left side of the fairway, where the ball hit short of the green and kicked on, rolling into the hole for a rare double eagle.
Fujikawa couldn't see it, but heard the roar and the applause from fans lining the fairway. Jumping in jubilation, his grin was a mile wide. Standing ovations resounded as he walked to the green and retrieved his ball from the bottom of the cup.
It was an amazing feat when considering it is the longest hole on the European Tour.
He helped set a European PGA record by making the third double eagle of 2007 and the first of the Omega European Masters.
Omega, sponsor of the European Masters, created the double eagle watch three years ago. Fujikawa was presented the watch by film star Roger Moore shortly afterward.
"This was special, my first albatross in competition. I had one other in 2003 at Fort Shafter Golf Club on a par 4," beamed Fujikawa.
Fujikawa shot a 4-over 75 yesterday after opening with a 6-over 77. His 10-over 152 left him 21 shots behind second-round leader Oliver Wilson, who fired a 65 yesterday for a two-day total of 131.
"You have to know where to hit the greens -- they are devilish and I didn't get any breaks," Fujikawa said of missing his third cut since turning pro. "Today I had no rhythm and couldn't get anything going, but I am learning, and I need to be patient."