Article Photos

Advertisement

WAIKAPU - One couldn't miss Tadd Fujikawa on the Kahili Golf Course during Sunday's final round of the Maui Open.

Wearing bright orange pants, a striped shirt, a magnetic wristband and a flashy white, rhinestone encrusted leather belt, the already famous 18-year-old drew added attention as he carded a 69 to win the tournament by three strokes over Andrew Feldmann.

''I like orange,'' said Fujikawa. ''It's one of my favorites.''

The recent Moanalua High School graduate wore the color, which traditionally represents emotions such as enthusiasm and determination, well as he fought his way up the leaderboard after starting the round tied for fourth, two shots behind first-round leader Alex Chiarella of Pukalani.

''I hit the ball a whole lot better today,'' said Fujikawa, who carded a 33 on the front nine and a 36 on the back, and finished the tournament at 142. ''Sixty-nine was pretty much the worst I could have shot today. I missed birdie putts on four, five, six, seven, eight. On the back nine, I didn't hit as good as on the front. But overall, I did pretty good, stayed pretty consistent. Not too much stress.''

Fujikawa, who has earned $61,892 on the PGA?Tour this year after making the cut in three of four events, carded six birdies and a bogey Sunday and took home $3,000 for the win.

Feldman, head pro at the Oahu Country Club, shot a 72 after also entering the day two shots back. A three-time participant in the event, Feldman said the wind, which reached an estimated 35 mph at times, made things hard for the field.

''It was windy both days,'' he said. ''I found the pin locations a little more difficult today. They were tricky and you had to be careful.''

Ron Castillo Jr. carded a 74 for a total of 146 to take third place while David Ishii (72) finished another shot back.

''Yesterday was the first time I played the course, so today I knew the holes a lot better,'' Ishii said. ''Thought I could do better, but I couldn't get the birdies that I needed.''

Chiarella, a 15-year-old Seabury Hall student, fell out of contention early and carded an 82 to finish tied for 17th at 153.

''I'm tired and a little out of shape,'' said Chiarella, who is still recovering from abdominal surgery five weeks ago on Oahu. ''I could not putt or hit my drives very well or accurately. I don't know why really, but I'll figure it out. I'm not satisfied with today and kind of bummed.''

Chiarella, who carded one birdie, seven bogeys and a quadruple bogey on Sunday, will be flying to Kauai on Tuesday to participate in the Junior World Golf Championships qualifier.

The top amateur finish was David Saka (73), who tied for fifth. The A-flight winner was David Balmores (71), who finished with a net total of 138.

As for Fujikawa, he hopes that he can squeeze a few of his other interests in this summer - fishing, judo and piano - before he tries to earn his PGA Tour card at Q-school in the fall.

''I probably won't get to,'' he said. ''Although I was really good at judo, but I gave it up. I gave everything up for golf.''

* Starr Begley is at sbegley@mauinews.com