Maekawa on right course to reach U.S. Open

By KEVIN JAKAHI

Tribune-Herald sports writer

During his days as an Oregon Duck, Paauilo’s Sean Maekawa played the Emerald Valley Golf Course countless times, gathering a healthy catalog of information for the upcoming U.S. Open sectional qualifier.

The automatic berths available to the U.S. Open won’t be known until the field is announced. But one thing is certain: Maekawa knows the par-72 course in Creswell, Ore., quite well.

“I spent four years playing there at least once a week,” said Maekawa, who won the U.S. Open local qualifier on Tuesday in a three-man playoff on Kauai. “I don’t think there’s a spot on the golf course I haven’t been.”

That’s inadvertently funny. It’s also probably a good thing. He knows where to hit the ball to avoid trouble.

“The greens get firm this time of year and a lot of them are domed,” he said. “There are lots of trees as well. You have to be on it all around, hit it well, putt it well.”

His best score at Emerald was a 5-under 67. His worst was something in the 80-plus neighborhood. The Ducks’ practice facility is based there, so if experience means anything Maekawa’s got that on his side.

It’s the fourth time he has reached the 36-hole U.S. Open sectional and first as a pro. He turned pro after he graduated in December with a political science degree.

Maekawa has been trying to get into the U.S. Open every year since he was 14 years old. Last year at the local qualifier in Portland, he was two strokes back. His best finish at the sectional was tied for 12th in 2008, after his freshman year at Oregon.

If not for falling two shots short last week in another tournament, he wouldn’t be back at Emerald, looking to knock down a door to the U.S. Open, which returns Rory McIlroy as the defending champion.

“I tried to qualify for the Canadian Tour last week. I missed it by two shots. If that had gone through, I would be playing in Canada all summer,” he said. “I’ll move up to the mainland next month. I’ll try to do something on the East Coast, like the eGolf Tour that Tadd Fujikawa is on.”

Maekawa was mentally tested in his three-man playoff at The Club at Kukuiula, missing a 3-1/2 foot putt on No. 18 with a chance to claim the lone automatic spot, then facing a putt of nearly the same length to win the second playoff hole.

“The first time I played the course was the day before,” he said. “It’s a relief. You always want to win playing at home. I felt good coming in and happy with the outcome.”

He eagled the 520-yard, par-5 fourth hole, going driver and 3-iron to the front of the green, and sinking a 25-foot uphill putt. That scorecard surge was canceled with a double bogey on the ninth hole.

Then he made the turn and kept grinding. Maekawa bogeyed 16 and 17, and had a birdie putt on No. 18 for the win. But his ball ignored the hole.

“I thought I hit a good putt. My stroke wasn’t too great. I felt committed with my routine,” he said. “But it was not a very good putt. At that point, I knew I had the playoffs to follow. I knew it wasn’t a very good time to get upset. I tried to forget about that putt and focus on the playoffs.”

On the second playoff hole, the old nemesis ninth hole, Maekawa two-putted for par and the win, facing another 3-footer. His stroke was good. The ball went in. And a shot to make the U.S. Open awaits.

“I knew what I had to do differently,” he said. “I just took my time. I hit the ball very well. I missed a couple of makeable birdies. It could have been better and worse, too.

“I’m really excited. I’m comfortable in that environment. There probably won’t be any surprises at the course. On Tuesday, my ball-striking was very good. In California last week, my putting and chipping held me up. It’s a matter of me putting it all together.”

Golf

What: U.S. Open sectional

When: June 4

Where: Emerald Valley G.C., Ore.

What: Sean Maekawa’s first attempt as pro

Info: usga.org