Murakami bows out but draws US Open lessons

Asian Tour stalwart Artemio Murakami’s major debut suffered a premature end when he stumbled out of the US Open on Friday.

The 24-year-old Filipino carded a disappointing 12-over-par 83 in the second round at Torrey Pines in San Diego to add to his opening 78 for a two-day total of 162.

For a second straight day, a double bogey five at the par three third hole started Murakami’s downfall as he went on to card a disappointing outward 44 which included a second double bogey at the fifth and four other bogeys.

“It was really difficult today. Once you missed shots, you don’t have a chance. The front nine got me again, it’s been like that since the junior world championship. I drove fairly solid but made some mistakes with the irons.

“I have learnt a lot this week. I still have to work hard in my game and I need to gain some distance in my driving and another club length on the irons to really be competing in a major. You must be solid all round in a major.

“However, this experience here has given me the impetus to try to get into another major. It’s a nice feeling to be amongst the world’s best players. It’s a very strong field and I want to come back.”

He birdied the 10th and 18th holes on homeward nine but five more bogeys in between meant that he was packing up early from the year’s second major.

Asian Tour honorary member Vijay Singh of Fiji struggled to a 78 after opening with a 71 to slip down the leaderboard on 149 while Korea’s Choi Kyung-ju carded a 77 for a two-day total of 151.

June 13, 2008

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