Fujikawa becomes first openly gay male pro golfer

Tadd Fujikawa, the youngest American to make the cut in a US PGA Tour event, became the first openly gay male professional golfer, making the revelation in an Instagram post.

The 27-year-old from Honolulu said he had been pondering about going public for some time before telling the world he is gay.

"I thought that I didn't need to come out because it doesn't matter if anyone knows," Fujikawa wrote. "But I remember how much other's stories have helped me in my darkest times to have hope. I spent way too long pretending, hiding, and hating who I was.

"I was always afraid of what others would think/say. I've struggled with my mental health for many years because of that and it put me in a really bad place. 

"Now I'm standing up for myself and the rest of the LGBTQ community in hopes of being an inspiration and making a difference in someone's life."

Fujikawa made the cut in his hometown PGA event, the Sony Open in Hawaii, in 2006 as a 16-year-old amateur, shooting 66 in the second and third rounds on his way to sharing 20th.

Only China's 14-year-old Guan Tianlang, who was 58th at the 2013 Masters, and 15-year-old Canadian Bob Panasik, who shared 66th at the 1957 Canadian Open, made a PGA cut while younger than Fujikawa.

Fujikawa has competed in 17 US PGA events, the most recent of them last year as a Sony Open qualifier. He played five pro events last year in Canada and last year captured the Hawaii State Open, his first pro victory in seven years.

Fujikawa said he wanted to champion acceptance for gay children, teens and adults in society, saying, "I will continue to do my best to bring more awareness to this issue and to fight for equality. We must liberate and encourage each other to be our best selves, whatever that may be.

"It's the only way we can make this world a better place for future generations. Let's do our part to make this world a better place."

Fujikawa played his only major at the 2006 US Open at age 15, missing the cut. In 2009, he fired a third-round 62 at the Sony Open before finishing 32nd.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Rio Olympics: Golfer Tabuena fires 2-over 73 in 1st round

Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena is in joint 42nd place after shooting a 2-over par 73 in the first round of the competition at the Olympic Golf Course in Brazil on Thursday.

He joined seven other golfers who include world No. 6 Bubba Watson after four bogeys in the back nine, according to a report from Spin.

Tabuena was off to a good start with a 2-under card after the front nine, but the winds made it tough for the Filipino golfer, who missed the green on his third shot at the par-5 10th leading to his first bogey of the round.

Tabuena also had bogeys in the 13th, 16th, and 18th.

Meanwhile, Marcus Fraser of Australia ran off four straight birdies to finish with an 8-under 63, which set an Olympic record.

Fraser enjoys a three-shot lead over Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.

Tabuena plans to bounce back on the second round, which tees off Friday night (Philippine time).

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinay golfer mistaken for a real princess

INCHEON -- Brief stories from the Asian Games on Tuesday:

Royal treatment

Filipino golfer Princess Superal caused panic among Asian Games organizers when she was mistaken for a real royal, the Philippine Star reported.

Philippines chef de mission Ricardo Garcia received an unexpected courtesy call from an Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC) official who apologized for what he thought was a diplomatic lapse.

"The IAGOC felt they made an error in not being able to recognize a princess from the Philippines," Garcia was quoted as saying. "An official was so apologetic for what they thought was a lapse. I assured them that there was no oversight on their part. That our golfer, in fact one of our hopes for the gold medal here, is named Princess but that she is not a princess of any part of the Philippines but a princess of our team just the same."

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Medal to muddle for Al-Garni

Mohamad Al-Garni's joy at winning 5,000 meters gold quickly turned to frustration after a late-night dope test caused him to miss the last bus home. According to team officials, the Qatari did not get back to the athletes' village until about 3 a.m., giving him little time to rest before his 1,500m heats on Monday morning. However, the Moroccan-born Al-Garni sailed through the heats and duly won the 1,500m final that evening.

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Drummed out of the arena
Indonesian badminton fans accused the South Korean hosts of being sore losers after they had their trademark drum confiscated by Asian Games security. The fans drummed and sang as Indonesia's Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan beat South Korea's world number ones Lee Yong-Dae and Yoo Yeon-Seong in the men's doubles final on Sunday, but one day later the drum was persona non grata.

"They were fine to let us in with our drum yesterday, but today the security at the same gate told us that we couldn't bring it in. They made us hand it over and we'll have to collect it later," said Akiko Rivel Lumintan, an Indonesian factory worker who lives in Korea. "Maybe they're disappointed because we won the gold medal yesterday."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com