Fujikawa joins elite field in Albertsons Boise Open
 
Aug. 27, 2007

SUPERVALU and the Albertsons Boise Open presented by First Health announced today that Hawaiian teen phenom Tadd Fujikawa has accepted a Sponsor Invitation to play in the Nationwide Tour's Albertsons Boise Open presented by First Health at Hillcrest Country Club September 20-23.

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Tadd Fujikawa (WireImage)

The 5-foot-1 Fujikawa, 16, turned professional on July 12 and will be competing for the $121,500 first place check and trying to earn his way to the PGA TOUR. GOLF CHANNEL will broadcast all four rounds of the tournament LIVE to over 100 million households internationally.

"I am honored and very excited to be invited to play in the Albertsons Boise Open. To be provided with the opportunity to compete on the Nationwide Tour is a real privilege for me," Fujikawa remarked upon accepting the invitation. "I look forward to the week of events and teeing it up in Boise."

Tadd Fujikawa burst on to the national golf scene in 2006 when he became the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Open.

Tadd followed up that success earlier this year by becoming the youngest player to make a cut on the PGA TOUR in the past fifty years at the Sony Open in his native Hawaii. He earned his spot in the field by shooting a 67 in the Monday Qualifier for the tournament beating 46 golf professionals and 11 amateurs.

Once in the field, he strung together a pair of 66's (eight under par) in the second and third rounds after opening with a one over par 71.

He closed out the tournament with a two over par 72 to finish in a tie for 20th. Had Fujikawa been a professional, he would have collected over $54,000 for his finish. As an amateur at that time, he was prohibited from collecting the winnings.

His success at the Sony Open coupled with his determination to further develop his golf development and compete against the best players in the world convinced him and his family to turn professional. He made his professional golf debut at the PGA TOUR's Reno-Tahoe Open earlier this month, where he missed the cut.

Despite missing the cut, Fujikawa birdied five of his last ten holes in the second round at Reno as he gave golf fans everywhere a glimpse of the future for this high school junior.

Jeff Sanders, President of Jeff Sanders Promotions, the tournament management firm of the Albertsons Boise Open presented by First Health, said, "The Nationwide Tour has always been the place to see the PGA TOUR stars of tomorrow today.

"We think Tadd Fujikawa exemplifies this vision. We are happy SUPERVALU, and the tournament, are able to provide the golf fans of the Treasure Valley with another opportunity to see who we believe is a rising star in the world of professional sports."

Prior to the Albertsons Boise Open presented by First Health tournament starting, Fujikawa will participate in the Idaho Statesman Junior Clinic on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. on the driving range at Hillcrest Country Club.

Fujikawa will be joined by Nationwide Tour professionals in a fun and entertaining instructional clinic designed to introduce young people to the game of golf. The Junior Clinic is free to the public.