Arjun Atwal: Wyndham Remembered
On this day in 2010 a certain Indian golfer became the first from his nation to win on the PGA Tour. Here is the story of how Arjun Atwal bravely prevailed at the Wyndham Championship.
Arjun Atwal has achieved many things during his history-making career.
He is the first from the sub-continent to: win a European Tour event ‒ achieved at the 2002 Caltex Singapore Masters; earn over US$1 million in career earnings on the Asian Tour, in 2003; and taste victory on the Korn Ferry Tour, when he lifted the 2008 Chattanooga Classic trophy.
The list of honours goes on and on: he was the 2003 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, claimed eight titles on the Asian Tour, and recorded three European Tour success.
But if that is the iceberg beneath the surface then the tip is his memorable victory in the Wyndham Championship, at Sedgefield Country Club, on the PGA Tour on August 22 in 2010 ‒ on this day 11 years ago.
It was a success full of emotion and significance.
BENEFITS AND RECORDS
It meant he became the first Indian golfer to clinch a PGA Tour title, but it also allowed him to regain his playing card on the most lucrative tour in the game within weeks of losing it.
And it saw him become the first Monday-qualifier to win on the PGA Tour in 24 years (Fred Wadsworth was the last to achieve such a feat at the 1986 Southern Open).
He was 37 years old at the time, entering the twilight of his career, and having been struggling with his game, partly through injuries, his greatest triumph ‒ which importantly earned him his status on the PGA Tour for the remainder of that year and the next two years ‒ came completely out of the blue.
GREENSBORO, NC – AUGUST 22: Arjun Atwal holds the championship trophy after winning the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club on August 22, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Atwal, who had a three-shot lead going into the final round, carded a three-under-par 67 to secure the title by a shot, from American David Toms, with a total of 20-under-par 260.
“I don’t know if it has sunk in yet, seriously. Obviously, it was a long-time dream but until it happens you just keep doubting yourself. I had my doubts despite a three-shot lead,” said Atwal, at the time. He also picked up a cheque for US$918,000 for his effort.
“I am so glad, I was very nervous, the most nervous I have been in all my life. My swing wasn’t feeling great but I just grinded it out and got it done somehow.”
CALM IN THE STORM
In a composed final day performance, Atwal picked up strokes on the third and fourth holes to be two-under at the turn.
On his way back, he added another two birdies on the 14th and 16th but a bogey on the 12th prevented him from going 21 under, something that his friend and practice partner American Tiger Woods had asked him to aim for the night before the final round in a text message.
“My goal was to get it to 21 under today. I came up one short. Actually, that’s the number my friend Tiger Woods also told me to get to last night,” he said.
“It’s all text, we never talk. He’s busy I guess,” he added.
Atwal mentioned he was glad the Wyndham tournament was televised live in India where his parents were watching, even though it was the middle of the night there.
GREENSBORO, NC – AUGUST 22: Arjun Atwal hits his second shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club on August 22, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
“There’s definitely pride in what I’ve done in my career,” the Indian star said more recently.
“Playing on the Asian Tour taught me a lot and it’s a matter of pride to be first Indian to win on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, European Tour … that’s not bad. I’ve always dreamt about playing here [in the US] and this is the dream. Hopefully I can become the first Indian to win on Champions Tour as well. There may be generations doing much more after me, but they can’t take away being the first. It’s pretty cool coming from a country of 1.3 billion people.”
Bangladesh’s golfing talisman Siddikur Rahman has temporarily upped sticks and based himself in the United States so that he can play and practice more ‒ plus, he is also considering entering next month’s Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School.
The two-time Asian Tour winner and his wife, Samaun Anjum Auroni ‒ also a professional golfer ‒ are living in Dallas, Texas, where they have some Bangladeshi friends.
“I came for a few weeks, but I don’t know how long ‒ just until things improve back home,” said the 36 year old.
“I am here because in Bangladesh there have been long, long lockdowns, almost 80 percent of the time was lockdown, which only just ended,” said Siddikur.
He said his family were “really scared about COVID” and followed all the rules, didn’t go out and stayed at home. They are all vaccinated.
(Photo by Khalid Redza/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images)
The Bangladesh star has been able to make use of a five-year US visa and after a long and testing period, since lockdown started in March 2020, he is now able to play and practice regularly at a number of different venues.
He added: “Even the golf courses were closed [in Bangladesh], sometimes they were open, sometimes they were closed. I just could not practice that much as it was almost like full lockdown. So, I couldn’t do anything, and I got really fed up. That’s why I just said, ‘okay let’s go out!’.”
Much to his frustration he has only played in one tournament in 16 months: a local event played over three rounds on a nine-hole course which, of course, he won.
“I finished five under. The sponsor kindly gave us some money, and we just split the money and played.”
Siddikur first won on the Asian Tour in 2010 at the Brunei Open and triumphed in the Hero Indian Open in 2013 ‒ he has gone on to earn US$2 million in prize money on the Tour.
“My game is rusty and without tournaments, and as professional, we cannot judge our performance,’ said the Bangladeshi.
“To be honest I am not happy with my game for the last one and a half years because I could not play and practice, there were no tournaments. So, I will practice as much as possible and take the decision about the Korn Ferry Qualifying School in a few weeks. I am not yet decided if I will enter my name. I think I have until the end of the month to decide. I have a very good hope.”
(Photo by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour via Getty Images)
He has only played golf in the US twice before: a practice round at TPC Sawgrass many years ago, and in 2016 he played in a US Open qualifier in Los Angeles.
He said leaving Bangladesh was really hard, but absolutely necessary in order for him to further his career.
Pandemic collateral damage also meant he missed out on playing in the Olympics in Tokyo this summer; if it had been played in 2020 he would have qualified.
He competed in Rio in 2016 where, memorably, he was his nation’s flag bearer.
“I have no regrets, I already played in it. It was a big achievement for me,” he adds.
“I am really hungry to win again. I am just waiting for everything to go back to normal. I want to play again and see everybody. I am missing the Asian Tour a lot, the tournaments, the officials, all my friends.”
Singapore’s Amanda Tan showed why she is the nation’s top woman golfer when she became the first female to win on the Singapore Pro Series Invitational Presented by FTAG today.
A brilliant birdie, birdie finish by Tan on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club – home of the Asian Tour – saw her close with a two-under-par 69 for a two under total, and a ground-breaking three-shot victory over compatriots Shannon Tan, an amateur, and Koh Dengshan.
Tan fired a 72, while Koh, the first-round leader with a 70, carded 73 ‒ in what was the Pro Series’ fifth leg.
Tan’s feat was made even more impressive by the fact that she held off a challenge from her illustrious compatriot Mardan Mamat over the closing holes.
The country’s most successful golfer, with five Asian Tour wins, was also in the hunt for his first Pro Series title but double bogeyed the 16th, opening the door for Tan to finish in style for the victory, and record the only sub-70 score of the event.
Mardan returned his second 72 to tie for fourth on two over with Singaporean Abdul Hadi, who shot the same scores.
“Being the first female to win a FTAG Pro Series event feels just great!” said Tan.
“My putting today was strong. I had some trouble on 14 and 15 but I trusted my golf which kept me strong for the last few holes.”
Tan, who is based at Sentosa Golf Club, earned a cheque for S$3,000 and moved into sixth place on the Order of Merit, with three more tournaments to go on the exciting new eight-leg circuit.
Said Shannon Tan: “I’m very happy to be playing in my first FTAG Pro Series tournament. It was a great experience for me. I would like to thank the SGA for the opportunity, and I definitely look forward to the next one.”
Singapore’s Greg Foo remained the leader of the Order of Merit, with earnings of S$7,650, after signing for a 73 for ninth place.
Amateur Justin Kuk from Singapore, who finished runner-up in the Singapore Open Amateur Championship last month, returned a 76 to place eighth while Singapore’s Hailey Loh, who won the women’s division of the Singapore Amateur, shot a 77 for a respectable 15th position.
This week’s tournament marks the start of a busy month for the new circuit, as leg six takes place next week from August 11 to 12, while the seventh event tees-off from August 25 to 26.
The final season-ending tournament will be held from January 5 to 6; with all the remaining events to be played at Sentosa ‒ home of the SMBC Singapore Open.
Each of the Pro Series legs counts towards the ‘Race to FTAG Cup’, where the winner of the Order of Merit will also receive a bonus of S$10,000.
Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul says he worked out something on the back nine on Sunday in the final round of the Olympic men’s golf competition that might translate to better results moving forward this year.
The rising star closed with a four-under-par 67 after three successive 71s to finish on four under in a tie for 45th place, at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better round to finish off. I was very consistent again not seeing a red figure,” Gunn said.
“But I kind of figured out something towards the back nine, I know it’s a bit too late, but it was good to get something going for when Japan (Tour) starts again. “
He stormed through the back nine in three-under-par 32 with four birdies and one dropped shot.
Gunn plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the Men’s golf event at Tokyo 2020 at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 29, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“I think I kind of bend my knee too much and I think that kind of shallows my swing too much,” he added.
“I have always been hitting down on the ball a lot steeper. But if I bend my knee too much I try and scoop everything and I miss everything right. It makes it really hard to trust yourself and it made the week a bit harder ‒ it is just some basic stuff that I forget over time.”
He was one of two Thais in the Olympic 60-man field along with countryman Jazz Janewattananond and one of seven Asian Tour players.
Gunn has been playing on the Asian and Japan Tours over the past few seasons and has been one of the most consistent performers with many expecting a first victory to come soon.
He has been plagued by a left thumb injury for most of this year ‒ the unfortunate consequence of trying to hit the ball like American Bryson DeChambeau last year ‒ and plans to spend this week at the Olympic village while getting treatment from the physio.
He said: “I am not quite sure what my plan is yet, will try and sort something out with my physio and see how it goes.”
Gunn watches his shot from the 14th tee in round two of the Men’s golf at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on July 30, 2021. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
The Japan Tour resumes later in August, and he is hoping to be ready for that, while if his thumb has not healed by then he might have the option of a medical exemption.
As for his Olympic experience, he is certainly ready for more.
“It was the first time playing something bigger than yourself. Hopefully I get to play again in Paris. Hopefully by then we will have crowds and everything will be back to normal.”
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent and fellow Asian Tour players Anirban Lahiri from India and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond all have an outside chance of finishing in the medals after another gripping day at the Olympic men’s golf competition today.
Vincent impressed in round three shooting one of the lowest scores of the day, a five-under-par 66, to move to seven under for tournament ‒ which is seven strokes behind American Xander Schauffele, who leads on 14 under after carding a 68.
Lahiri, one of the few players in the field to have competed in Rio five years ago, also fared well returning a 68 to lie a further shot back along with Jazz, who signed for a 72.
Jazz plays his shot from the 13th tee during the third round (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
All three will have to shoot low on Sunday at Kasumigaseki Country Club to challenge for honours.
Jazz did just that on day one when he came in with a 64, to sit second, but frustrating rounds of 71 and 72 have followed. He was paired with Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry today, who both excelled, firing 67 and 68, to finish three and four shots behind the leader, respectively.
Vincent, one of the most consistent performers on the Asian Tour over the past five years, was also a picture of consistency today, making five birdies and no bogeys.
And, Lahiri, determined to improve on his 57th placing in the previous Olympics, bravely fought his way back after a bogey at the first to birdie eight, eagle nine and birdie 14.
A total of seven Asian Tour players are competing in the star-studded 60 man field.
Matsuyama talks with Schauffele on the 12th hole in round thee (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Second-round leader Schauffele made a brilliant birdie on the last to edge one ahead of Japan’s great hope for gold, Hideki Maruyama, who returned a 67.
England’s Paul Casey (66) and Carlos Ortiz from Mexico (69) are tied for third, a further stroke behind.
The last round sets up a fascinating battle between Schauffele and Matsuyama, who were also paired together in the final round of the Masters this year when the Japanese star triumphed.
“Yeah, it’s good,” said Schauffele.
“Hideki’s a great player, he’s our current Masters champion. I plan on wearing that jacket someday as well, and whenever you play against the world’s best you happen to see them a lot. So, we’re playing together tomorrow in the final group, and I assume we’ll be playing in more final groups for years to come.”
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond maintained his pursuit of an Olympic medal today at Tokyo 2020 when he carded an even-par 71 in the men’s golf competition, to sit at seven under par for the tournament ‒ just four shots behind second-round clubhouse leader Xander Schauffele from the United States.
Jazz, who won the Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2019 thanks to four victories, was unable to repeat the heroics of his opening day 64 but was content with his performance during another weather effected day at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
“Sometimes you have a good day, sometimes you have a bad day. I would say today is kind of in the middle. I didn’t play as good, I didn’t hit it as good,” said the 25-year-old.
He made one birdie and one bogey but was unlucky not to make a four on the par-five 14th, when his brilliant approach hit the pin and ricochet 60 feet away.
Jazz Janewattananond of Team Thailand plays a second shot on the second hole during the second round of the men’s golf at Tokyo 2020 at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 30, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
His back nine was interrupted by an hour and a half weather delay but he was grateful to complete his round before another delay stopped play permanently for the day. Sixteen players will restart at 7.45am local time on Saturday.
“[I] just didn’t give myself enough chances. Struggling with lines, struggling with the spin, couldn’t control it. But I’m actually not too upset with my score because I knew I was struggling. I was just trying to get it around without doing too much damage.”
The Thai star is in privileged company as he is tied in seventh place with Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
Jazz added: “I think I have put myself in a pretty good position, like if someone were to ask me, okay, you’re two strokes back or three strokes back even going into the last two days would you take it right now before the tournament start and I would say I would. So, I mean you can say I played bad today, didn’t play as good as yesterday, but still I’m only two, three back. So, I’m actually pretty happy with myself.”
India’s Anirban Lahiri watches his drive from the 14th tee in round two of the men’s golf at Tokyo 2020 at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on July 30, 2021. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Schauffele took charge of the tournament with a stunning 63, which was highlighted by two eagles, to reach 11 under and lead by one from Mexican Carlos Ortiz, in with a 67.
Chilean Mito Pereira (65), Alex Noren from Sweden (67) and Austria’s Sepp Straka (71) are three behind the leader.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, this year’s Masters champion, is eight under with two to play.
Seven-time Asian Tour winner Anirban Lahiri from India will also complete his second round tomorrow as he has two holes remaining. He is still in the hunt for honours but will need to rebound from today’s round which saw him play 16 holes in one over.
Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, the 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, is also far from out of it at three under but like Lahiri will need to improve on his second round 73.
Tied with him is Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, the current leader of the Japan Tour money list, who played his way back into contention with a 68.
Hoshino, who has played on the Asian Tour for the past three seasons, had the honour of teeing off first in Thursday’s opening round.
Asian Tour regular Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe also shone on day two shooting a 67 to finish two under for event.
Scott Vincent of Team Zimbabwe plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the men’s golf at Tokyo 2020 at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 30, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, thrilled his army of followers in the region today when he shot a seven-under-par 64 to finish in sole possession of second place after the first round of the Olympic Games men’s golf competition.
A fine birdie on the long par-four 18th ‒ where he struck his approach to three feet ‒ saw him sign for a sublime and unblemished opening round, composed of seven birdies and no dropped shots, to finish one stroke behind Austrian Sepp Straka, whose 63 was a course and Olympic record.
Belgium’s Thomas Pieters and Carlos Ortiz from Mexico tied for third after shooting 65s, at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
In equal fifth is Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, the 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, who carded a 66.
Pagunsan walks with his caddie in round one of the men’s golf competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on July 29, 2021. (Photo by YOSHIHIRO IWAMO / AFP) (Photo by YOSHIHIRO IWAMO/AFP via Getty Images)
And, Indian star Anirban Lahiri made it three Asian Tour Order of Merit champions in the top-10 when he returned a 67, to tie for eighth.
Jazz, who claimed four Asian Tour titles when he won the 2019 Order of Merit, raced up the leader board with a four-under-par 31 back nine, with his other birdies coming on 10, 11, and 13. He also had four birdies in a row as he made birdies on eight and nine.
Impressively, Jazz ‒ who is one of 10 Asian Tour players competing in the elite 60-man field ‒ moved into contention despite having to finish his last three holes after two-hour and 19-minute weather delay.
“It’s early in the tournament,” Jazz said. “You can’t win the tournament on the first day, but you can get yourself in a good position for sure. So, I think I did that, I put myself in a good position and I just tried to hang on and try to keep going on.”
When asked what it is like to play in his first Olympics, he added: “Playing golf with a different mindset. You’re not playing for yourself, you’re playing for the country, you’re playing for the medals, you’re just going for it, you’re just playing with all your heart, it’s different.”
Having won his first title in Japan at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open in May, Pagunsan today showed he is playing some of the finest golf of his career at the age of 43.
He fired six birdies and just one bogey, proudly flying the flag as the only Filipino in the field, with compatriot and former Tour player Artemio Murakami on the bag.
Lahiri plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 29, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Lahiri won the Order of Merit in 2015 and is determined this week to improve on his 57th placing in Rio.
“It was good. I think I started off a little dodgy first few holes, couldn’t get my rhythm going early. But then I settled down nicely,” said the Indian.
“I think I played pretty good. I probably feel like I could have taken some more chances, some opportunities on the back nine I didn’t make as many birdies as I could have. But I’m playing well, so I have to build on this and as you can see already there’s a lot of opportunities if it keeps playing like this, soft, there’s not much rain today, then you have to go out there and just really be aggressive and make a lot of putts.”
Pre-tournament favourites Collin Morikawa from the United States ‒ winner of The Open two weeks ago ‒ Masters’ champion Hideki Matsuyama from Japan, and Ireland’s Rory McIlory all carded 69s.
Anirban Lahiri and Udayan Mane are not just fighting for an Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 medal in the men’s golf competition this week – they are desperate to put golf firmly on the map in their native India.
The Indian duo will carry their nation’s challenge at Kasumigaseki Country Club beginning on Thursday, knowing full well an unprecedented medal in golf would do wonders in growing the sport and enticing greater support in their cricket-mad homeland.
“It will mean that the face of golf will change permanently,” said Mane, who is making his Olympics debut.
“Right now, there is a select amount of people who know what golf is in our country. If we can win a medal, people will know what golf is, all the 1.2 billion people in India. There’ll definitely be more kids taking up golf as there are these new opportunities staring at them. It will change how everyone looks at golf in India. Cricket will always be No. 1 but we’ll at least be able to shorten the gap.”
Lahiri – winner of the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit – is on a quest for redemption in Tokyo after finishing 57th out of 60 golfers in Rio 2016. Back then, he was playing with an injury but the PGA TOUR regular enters the week in good form following a top-three finish at the Barbasol Open for his best finish of the season.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Anirban Lahiri of Team India plays during a practice round at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“It’ll be huge,” said Lahiri on the prospect of what a medal in golf would do for India.
“As you can imagine, it’s a big deal. The Olympics is a big deal. We had our first silver (women’s weightlifting) on the first day of the Games, which was the first time it’s happened. I’m beginning to see the ripples beginning to take effect at home and I can feel how it will boost that sport positively and I would love for it to happen in golf. This is a great opportunity to have a first with golf … for us to change the perception and attitude.
“I definitely have a lot more intent, more focus, more believe and definitely more confidence. To compare last time and this time, it’s totally different. I came with an injury and was coming off the back of some WDs going into Rio. Feels like I’m moving in the right direction with my golf and with my body. I think it’s good timing for me.”
Mane, a 30-year-old with 11 victories on his domestic circuit, grew up competing in swimming and basketball before being bitten by the golf bug which saw him pursuing the sport as a career. Getting on the flight to Tokyo was a dream come true after he qualified as the 60th player when entries closed last month.
“It feels surreal, it feels fulfilling and I feel proud. I am still in shock really and there’s a cocktail of feelings in my body that I can’t express through words fully yet. By the time the first round arrives, I would know what I’m feeling,” he beamed.
Staying with the Indian contingent at the Games Village has provided Mane with an experience of a lifetime and opened his eyes as well seeing how other Olympians prepare themselves for competition.
“I’ve definitely realised one thing … I’ve got to work much harder on my fitness seeing all the athletes over there. The atmosphere is really intense, and everyone is out there to win something for their country and make their country proud. The intensity at the village where everyone is trying to peak at the right moment is pretty cool to watch,” he said.
Indian stars @anirbangolf and @TheUdayanMane hope to elevate the status of golf in their cricket-mad nation by finishing in the medals @Olympics. The golf tournament starts tomorrow.
???#Tokyo2020 #Olympics #Olympicgolfhttps://t.co/efmT7rRBZW— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 28, 2021
“I spoke to a few Norwegian female weightlifters and they had more muscles than I do! They were ripped and were as tall as I am. They were more curious about golf than anything else, asking me like how we play 18 holes and that was pretty cool. I met a few other Indian athletes and they’re so dedicated in what they want to do. They are so focused on what they want to achieve that you can learn from them.”
Donning India’s tri-colours will provide the motivation for Lahiri and Mane as they seek podium finishes. “It always invokes the feeling of going beyond yourself. You’re not here for yourself this week. Anirban Lahiri is not playing for Anirban Lahiri. I’m playing for India, for my motherland,” he said.
“You’re thinking of going beyond what you think is your best. Definitely wearing your nation’s colours make a difference. It’s a hugely positive thing. I believe I have experience, the game and fortitude to do what is needed. I want to give myself the opportunity come Sunday. That’s what I’m here to do and that’s all I’m thinking about.”
Eight players from the Asian Tour will tee off in one of the tournaments of their lives tomorrow when they compete in the first round of the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition, at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
And, perhaps, none will be more excited and proud than Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino who The International Golf Federation ‒ organisers of the golf event ‒ have given the honour of hitting the opening tee shot.
Hoshino, who was the leading Asian Tour player to qualify after finishing in 24th place on the rankings, will start at 7:30 a.m. local time ‒ along with Thomas Pieters of Belgium and Sepp Straka of Austria.
The 25 year old, who has played on the Asian Tour for the past three years, has enjoyed a brilliant 2021, winning twice in Japan to take pole position on the money list there.
The other Japanese player competing ‒ Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama ‒goes off at 8:41 a.m.
India’s Anirban Lahiri, who competed in Rio five years ago, is the next Asian Tour player off at 8.52 a.m.; while Gavin Green from Malaysia, the other Asian Tour competitor in the field who competed in Rio, is in the following group at 9.03 a.m.
Both are former Asian Tour Order of Merit champions.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Anirban Lahiri of Team India plays during a practice round at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul is in the threesome at 9.14 a.m; while his compatriot Jazz Janewattananond – the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner – starts his Olympics at 9.47 a.m.
Juvic Pagunsan from the Philippines and Zimbabwean Scott Vincent are the only Asian Tour players paired together at 10.58 a.m., and India’s Udayan Mane ‒ who earned the 60th and final Olympic qualifying berth ‒ makes his debut in the Olympics at 11.09 a.m.
In one of the high-profile groups, American Collin Morikawa ‒ last week’s winner of The Open ‒ Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and Korean Sungjae Im begin at 10.25 a.m.
As a boy, Rikuya Hoshino had visions of competing in the Olympics and challenging for a medal for his country, Japan.
Come Thursday, the 25-year-old gets to live his dream when the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 men’s golf competition tees off with the first round at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
Hoshino, a five-time Japan Golf Tour winner, was given the honour of hitting the opening tee shot scheduled at 7.30am after he was placed in the first group of the day with Thomas Pieters of Belgium and Austria’s Sepp Straka.
“The fairway on the first hole is very narrow, so I’m definitely going to be nervous about that but I want to really focus on trying to hit the fairway and have a good start,” he said in a press conference with compatriot Hideki Matsuyama on Tuesday.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 25: Hideki Matsuyama and
Rikuya Hoshino of Team Japan pose for a portrait at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
While most of the spotlight leading up to the men’s golf competition has been on Matsuyama, who won the Masters Tournament in April, Hoshino is relishing the opportunity of representing Japan and fighting for a podium finish.
“The Olympics is a stage that I’ve dreamed about since I was little growing up. And since the last edition of the Olympics, golf has been added and I’ve been wanting to participate. I’m finally happy to be able to join the Tokyo Olympics in my home country,” said Hoshino.
The slender local star is quietly confident he can enjoy a strong week. This season, he has won twice on the domestic circuit while a T26 finish at the U.S. Open in June for his best major finish in four appearances has given him new self-belief he can go toe-to-toe with the game’s top stars.
Rikuya Hoshino ?? will have the honour of hitting the first tee shot when the men's golf competition gets underway on Thursday. ?️⛳@OlympicGolf #OlympicGolf pic.twitter.com/b0wxU64f4A
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 27, 2021
“It’s going to a very unique type of nervousness, but I’m going to try my best to win a medal,” he said. “At the U.S. Open, I went on to make the cut. So I felt like I could play well on the big stage and that became a catalyst to gain some confidence.”
With Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito making history for Japan on Monday as the mixed doubles pair produced an epic comeback to give the nation its first-ever table tennis Olympic gold medal, Hoshino hopes he and Matsuyama will also create their own Olympic moment at Kasumigaseki’s East course.
“I’ve been watching other fellow Japanese athletes compete and last night, I watched our team win the table tennis gold medal, which was inspiring. I think I want to join them and do my best and convert the inspiration into playing well on the golf course,” said Hoshino.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 25: Hideki Matsuyama of Team Japan plays during a practice round at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Matsuyama, a six-time winner on the PGA TOUR, will get his campaign underway at 8.41am alongside Australia’s Marc Leishman and Canadian Corey Conner while World No. 3 Collin Morikawa, who won The Open Championship two weeks ago for his second major victory, will launch his quest for gold alongside Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Sungjae Im of Korea.
With a Green Jacket already in his wardrobe following his historic Masters win which made him the first Japanese male major champion, Matsuyama is keen to grab gold despite the weight of a golf-mad nation resting on his shoulders.
“To be able to represent Japan and play in my home Olympics, this is probably the first and last time I’ll be able to do that,” said the 29-year-old. “I’m very happy to be able to participate here. Three weeks ago, I got tested positive for COVID-19 and I wasn’t really sure if I’ll be able to make it to the stage here, so finally I’m here and I’m very happy.
“I won the Asia Pacific Amateur here 11 years ago which got me into the Masters, which I went on to win this year,” Matsuyama added. “So, in a way Kasumigaseki has been a place for me to progress and grow. Hopefully I can do the same this week and move to the another level.”
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 24: A general view at the Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 24, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Featured photo: Credits to International Golf Feberation (IGF)
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