Michelle Wie of the US smiles as she attends a press conference prior to the HSBC Women's Championship golf tournament in Singapore on February 24, 2010. Singapore will host 63 international golfers for the HSBC Women's Championship from February 25-28 with the total prize money of 1.3 million USD. (Photo credit ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

The Ladies Professional Golfers Association season finally got underway, not in Hawaii, but kind of close – if you count Thailand and Singapore.

Ai Miyazato of Japan poses with the trophy after winning the final round of the Honda PTT LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club on February 21, 2010 in Chon Buri, Thailand. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)

It was a great breakthrough for Japan’s Ai Miyazato, the first win of the 2010 season and the second of her career on the LPGA Tour.

Michelle Wie of USA looks on her way to the 8th hole during the final round of the Honda PTT LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club on February 21, 2010 in Chon Buri, Thailand. (Photo by Victor Fraile/Getty Images)

Michelle Wie didn’t play as well as she wanted…except for the second round. But she did enjoy catching up with the girls, including Christina Kim.

Kim had a scary moment in Thailand. The bus she was in got into an accident with a truck and a police car.

Christina Kim of 2009 United States Solheim Team poses for photo in the Pentagon press briefing room on January 13, 2009 in Washington DC during a visit to celebrate their victory in Solheim Cup. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Her first tweet read,  “OMG the bus I was riding in got into an accident and 3 vehicles (our bus, big rig truck our police escort) were involved, but no one was hurt.”

“I still have the jitters 45 min afterwards,” she tweeted later.

It’s a common problem in Thailand. Even during a ride in a taxi I hear is like taking your life into your own hands. That goes for Manila, and Bangkok particularly. Add you favorite taxi rides at the bottom in the comments section.

Paula Creamer unfortunately injured her thumb and withdrew from the first tournament.

Showing her love of fashion!

Michelle Wie of the United States enters for a press conference Tuesday Feb. 23, 2010, in Singapore. The HSBC Women's Champions golf tournament will be held over the weekend in the city-state.

THE HAWAII SEASON POPS…

It was the 2010 Hawaii Pearl Open followed by the 2010 Hilo Invitational and former UH Hilo and Leilehua High School golf player Nick Mason played key roles in both.

In the former, Mason was the defending champion. In the later, he came with a hole of winning The Pearl.

2010 HAWAII PEARL OPEN AT PEARL COUNTRY CLUB

The “globalization of golf” is an old idea in Hawaii. It was the brainchild of Soichiro Honda, founder of the Honda Motor Company backed in 1979. His vision was to bring the top professional golfers from Japan to Hawaii to compete with the top pros and amateurs in Hawaii. Since then, the competition has flourished with Ryo Ishikawa making his first U.S. appearances right at the Hawaii Pearl Open. Here is more from the Pearl Country Club’s website on Mr. Honda and his dream:

“The Hawaii Pearl Open was established in 1979 by 
Mr. Soichiro Honda, founder of the Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Mr. Honda purchased the Pearl Country Club in December 1975. Until his passing in 1991 at the age of 84, he imprinted both the Pearl Country Club and Hawaii Pearl Open with his personal beliefs and energy. Honda's goals of serving local community first, fostering international goodwill, and providing Hawaii golfers with opportunities to experience top-notch competition, remain the event's guiding principles today.”

And this year was no exception. With top professionals and amateurs from Japan, Korea, the West Coast, and Hawaii, both male and female, the 2010 Hawaii Pearl Open at one point had an Arizona resident, who is also a former Hawaii player, a Japan and Korean player fighting for the lead.

Going into the 17th hole of the final round, Nick Mason was in control. But as he said later, it all comes down to the putter, which failed Mason at the very end.

From left, Tsugio Okata, President, Honda Kaihatsu kogyo with 2010 Pearl Open champion Akinori Tani
(Photo Courtesy: Rick Gray, The Golf Club)

Akinori Tani managed an amazing second shot on the relatively short par-5 17th hole. His ball was practically wedged up next to a tree in the left rough. But to the amazement of both Mason, and Tani, his 9 iron came through with a beautiful recovery shot to within 7 feet of the hole. He drained it for an eagle to take the lead from Mason, who only managed a par on the hole.

There are so many wonderful story lines here. Tani married his fiancé the day before. He promptly handed the check over to her after receiving his trophy.

2010 Hawaii Pearl Open champion Akinori Tani and his caddie, 14-year old Emi Koga
(Photo courtesy: Rick Gray, The Golf Club)

On his bag, 14-year old Hawaii junior golfer Emi Koga can take credit for some of Tani’s success. In fact, when asked after the victory what a 14 year old could do to help a 35-year old professional golfer, Tani was quick to tell us that Koga knew the greens at Pearl so well, by following her advice, he was able to putt them beautifully.

Pearl Open Media Coordinator Arnold Hiura gives us the final details:

“Tani shot a closing round 67 for a 12-under-par total of 204. Mason, who led by as many as three-shots earlier in the day, shot 69 to finish one stroke back of Tani. In a tight, seesaw struggle at times involving up to seven or eight players, Korean pro Hyung Sung Kim (70-65-71—206) took sole possession of third place.

Low Amateur Ryutaro Kato  (Photo Courtesy: Rick Gray)

Ryutaro Kato, 16, shot 72-68-72—212 to take low amateur honors by one stroke over fellow Japanese amateurs Yosuke Asaji and Kouki Furuta, who both finished at 3-under 213.

Lowest Hawaii amateurs were a pair of Kamehameha, Kapalama golfers; Donny Hopoi (8th grader) and 17-year-old Alika Bell (senior) who both finished at 7-over par 223 respectively T65 overall.

The final round field stroke average was 73.64, the par 3 13th hole played the most difficult at .41 strokes over par (3.41) while the easiest hole was the par 5 1st averaging .44 strokes under par (4.56).

Other players of note:
Defending champion Jesse Mueller mounted a charge on the front nine to get to 8-under at the turn, but shot 1-over on the back side to finish tied for seventh place.

Aside from Mason, who played for UH Hilo, but then moved to Arizona, the next lowest low local pro was Hilo’s Kevin Hayashi. Hayashi, a two-time HPO winner, shot a final round 68 to finish ninth at 4-under 210.”

NICK MASON – TAKES SECOND

Nick Mason and his caddie, Kala Kaaihue (Photo courtesy Patti Mason)

It isn’t easy coming so close to victory but Nick Mason is one savvy player after his season opener – Monday qualifying at the 2010 Sony Open in Hawaii. He talked to me after his loss, which makes him a champion in my eyes and spoke very candidly about golf, his relationship to the game, what is important to play the game and professional fishing. Yes fishing.

2010 Hawaii Pearl Open 2nd place finisher wins $9,000 talking story with Danielle Tucker 
(Photo Courtesy: Rick Gray, The Golf Club)

HILO INVITATION FINAL NOTES BY LEE HARDY

Here is a picture of the 2010 Hilo Invitational winners. From left to right: Chris Igawa, Low Amateur Lance Taketa, Tournament Co-Chair Professional Jacob Low, 2010 Hilo Invitational Champion

Assitant Golf Professional Lee Hardy works at the Hilo Muni. He played in the Invitational. And he wrote this piece describing the victory enjoyed by Jacob Low:

“Professional Jacob Low’s steady play over the final nine holes helped the former Hilo native capture the 13th Annual Hilo Invitational Golf Tournament.

 Low finished the championship at 5-under par, well enough for his first professional victory and the five-thousand dollar first place prize.

Low’s 67-70 (137) was one-stroke better than first round leader professional David Kim 66-72 (138) and professional Ryan Perez (69-69 (138). Three-time champion Nick Mason placed fourth at 139.

As Low struggled early in the round, his confidence got a stern test. “I watched others making birdies and I was 3-putting for bogeys”, said Low. “After my third 3-putt (on the 13th), I started getting negative thoughts on the 14th tee”.

“I was 1-over for the day and didn’t think I could win this already.”

But on the 17th tee, he found out he was only a couple of strokes back thru 16 holes and still in the hunt. His putter came through on the 17th, making a crucial 15-footer for birdie. On the final hole, Low hit his approach to 1-foot to get back to 1-under for the day.

“Even a 1-footer can get your attention—I was actually nervous because I thought it was to get into a play-off”, Low said. “It means a lot to win this—it’s huge. It is my favorite tournament and I get to see my friends and family. Coming back home lets me golf with people I have been playing with for years.”

Igawa played with Low and Kim in the leader group and also struggled with the flat stick. “My body was cold early in the morning and my poor decisions resulted in bogeys”. “I still kept trying—trying to grind it out”, said Igawa.

He got it to 4-under after 12 holes, but 3-putt bogeys on 13, 14, and 16 derailed Igawa’s chances of the overall championship. After a 2-putt birdie on the par five 17th, Igawa did not think 2-under was enough even for low amateur honors.

Igawa, (68-72) ended winning a 3-way play-off between UH-Hilo Vulcan golfer Niel Cabico (70-70) and Alika Bell (68-72). They all birdied the first play-off hole and Igawa seized the victory with a 30-foot bomb on the par-three 2nd hole.

“It’s a good feeling to win for the first time”, Igawa said. “It sure builds your confidence.”

DEMO DAY AT PEARL COUNTRY CLUB

In addition to the great competition in the 2010 Hawaii Pearl Open, we enjoyed the Demo Day.

Shortly after coming off his final round in the Open, Hawaii’s David Ishii went to work and watch his junior golfers work out on the driving range. (Photo Courtesy, Rick Gray, The Golf Club)

David Ishii turned professional in 1979. He led the money list on the Japan Golf Tour in 1987. He has 14 victories on the Japan Golf Tour. He is now playing on the Japan Senior Tour.  Ishii won the inaugural Kapalua Open in 1982 and also won the 1990 Hawaiian Open, a PGA Tour event. He is the Director of Golf at Pearl Country Club.

In addition to the latest equipment, the Golf Concepts “concept” golf cart on display amazed us. Jay Hinazumi, owner of Golf Concepts, lets his employees make their dreams come true. Maybe you’d like to buy one.

Golf Concepts special golf cart with Danielle Tucker at the wheel and “The Golf Club” radio show executive producer Rick Gray holding on for dear life

BUBBA WATSON

It was during the Pearl Open, broadcasting the show overlooking the practice green and gorgeous Pearl Harbor, that I witnessed the queen of the green. Maybe it’s the king. It’s a well-fed cat that loves to chase practice putts as they head for the hole. Thinks it’s marvelous fun. I’m amazed the creature is still alive.

That was also the weekend I got to meet PGA Tour Pro Bubba Watson. He took time out between his amazing workout and a round of golf to call in to the show.

He absolutely cracked me up.

Danielle Tucker talking, laughing, with the amazing Bubba Watson.

Here’s a link to the show from the 2010 Hawaii Pearl Open. Bubba Watson arrives about an hour in.

http://www.hernco.com/golfclub/radio/21310gc.mp3

Bubba Watson from Golf Digest. Photo: Jaime Diaz

I would like to thank the entire staff of the Pearl Country Club, including Golf Operations manager Guy Yamamoto who was on the show with me, and General Manager Yoshio Sano, for allowing us to set up shop at the Open and for the great breakfast.

Shaka to you too, Mr. Yoshio Sano, General Manager of Pearl Country Club

ACCENTURE MATCH PLAY

It was amazing match play with Paul Casey and Camilo Villegas dueling for the final against Ian James Poulter.

In the end, Villegas lost to Casey and Casey to Poulter.

I have these two photos of their swing on the same hole.

2010 Accenture Match Play Champion Ian Poulter of England plays his tee shot on the15th hole during final round of the Accenture Match Play Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at on February 21, 2010 in Marana, Arizona. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Paul Casey of England plays his tee shot on the 15th hole during final round of the Accenture Match Play Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at on February 21, 2010 in Marana, Arizona. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

TIGER WOODS

There is a saying in golf. Golf doesn’t install character. Golf reveals character. That’s why people say playing a round of golf will tell you more about a person than just about any other activity.

Tiger Woods finally spoke about his transgressions.

Tiger Woods says he’ll return to golf at some point but when that is, he doesn’t know.

SET SCRAMBLE

Have you ever played in a long, sometimes 6 hour, scramble golf event? Well how about picking up the pace and playing at the Same Exact Time. Everybody gets a chance to get his or her waggle out and then, check out the video for how this scramble is played.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuzpGe-Lz9o

SET Scramble is an exciting new golf event for amateurs. The 1st Annual SET Scramble National Championships will be held at The Chase at Coyote Springs near Las Vegas, Nevada in September 2010. Local golf courses are signing up to be qualifying sites. The top qualifying team from Hawaii will play in Las Vegas. 

Call your favorite golf course and ask them to sign up to be a qualifying site. Get four friends together…and have a blast. Look for it to be on Golf Channel soon, an exhibition match you won’t forget.

LAS VEGAS FLYAWAY

It’s time for our Las Vegas flyaway winners to make their travel arrangements. Ludi from Kauai and Don from Oahu are our 11th anniversary winners.

They are both long time listeners and each was one of 16 qualifiers.

Their names were announced on the air, Ludi at the Sony Open and Don at the Hawaii Pearl Open. Along with the round trip for two on Hawaiian Airlines to Las Vegas, they each get four nights in a Directors Suite at the newly renovated Las Vegas Hilton. In addition to the trip and the stay, they also get a round of golf for four at the magnificent Las Vegas Country Club.

The winning is just beginning.

Thank you for your Mana, and may you hit the sweet spot every time.

See you on the radio.

Danielle