Imada to Make Kapalua Debut
By Robert Collias
The Maui News
Jan. 4, 2009
At least in golf terms, Ryuji Imada will be carrying the weight of a nation this week at the Mercedes-Benz Championship.
Imada is the only Japanese-born player in the 31-man field - one filled with champions from 2008, but minus notable nonwinners such as Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan.
Imada knows he is a man on an island - and it is not just because he is making his first appearance on Maui.
In the recent past, Japan's headliner on the PGA Tour has been Shigeki Maruyama, who played at the Kapalua Plantation Course in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Maruyama has scaled back his PGA Tour slate, however, catapulting Imada to, as he puts it, ''the man from Japan'' status.
Imada got into the Kapalua field by winning the AT&T Classic in May in a playoff over Kenny Perry at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga., one year after he lost in a playoff at the same event.
''Obviously the expectation around me is a little bit higher, but that is not so much my doing as other people's,'' Imada said last week. ''I am going to have a little bit of people from Japan coming over to cheer me and to cover me, for sure. I don't know if it puts pressure on me, but the expectations are certainly a little bit higher. I still feel like I am an underdog. Week by week, shot by shot, I am still trying to do the best I can, so there is not much difference for me.''
Imada won a little more than $3 million last season, nearly as much as his previous three seasons on tour combined. He will have ''seven or eight relatives and friends'' from Japan on Maui this week, as well as the media types from his homeland. He knows the coverage will be large in Japan.
''Yeah, I think so,'' he said. ''They obviously have only been focusing on one player mostly - Shigeki Maruyama. I am the second player to play in Maui, so their expectation is high, too. They hope I play well so they can get better ratings. It really doesn't change my perspective. I just want to play as well as I can, just trying to get another win, and hopefully it is sooner rather than later.''
He knows he will have extra commitments to keep the Japanese media and fans dialed in.
''Oh yes, I think so - that became clear to me once the end of last year rolled around and Shigeki wasn't around,'' Imada said. ''Shigeki has been the man from Japan for a long time, regardless of how he does in any specific tournament. He knows he needs to talk to the media.
''I did some of that, too, but I know now I need to take that role and obviously be more responsible about it. Being in the spotlight is more fun than not being in it. I like that feeling - it is a nice way to get to show my talent and skills back home in Japan.''
Imada thinks he might have a bit of a cheering section on Maui this week.
''For me, it is a little bit different kind of week because obviously there are a lot more Japanese people there,'' he said. ''The population is there, so maybe there will be more people cheering for me. It is certainly closer to the homeland.''
Imada moved to Tampa, Fla., as 14-year-old and started playing at a golf academy and on the major junior circuit while learning English.
He went to the University of Georgia, earning All-Southeastern Conference honors as both a freshman and sophomore. He left after his sophomore season after guiding the Bulldogs to the 1999 NCAA team title with a runner-up individual performance.
He spent five years on the Nationwide Tour, winning twice and making 68 cuts in 120 starts, and moving to No. 385 in the world rankings in 2004.
He earned $313,185 on the Nationwide Tour in 2004 to finish third on that money list and earn his 2005 PGA Tour card. His world rank climbed steadily, to 202 in 2005, 181 in 2006, 180 in 2007 and to his current No. 66 at the end of 2008.
He was 25th on the FedEx Cup points list last season, and 13th on the money list with $3,029,363, but being a winner on tour and at Kapalua is still a new experience.
''Well, it is definitely an honor no matter who you are or what race you are,'' he said. ''I would definitely like to come back next year and many more. It is definitely a tournament where you look forward to playing well and doing well would be a great way to start out the season.
''I am very excited. I have been looking forward to that tournament for a long, long time and to finally be able to play well enough to get in that field is very exciting.''
He admits he has little knowledge of the Plantation Course's 7,411-yard layout.
''I don't know much,'' he said. ''All I know is a few holes on the back nine that I have seen on TV. I'm sure the elevation is a lot different than what you see on TV. I am going to get in there early for three or four practice rounds. I am definitely going to get to know the golf course beforehand.''
His win last year was a bit of payback. In 2007, he put his approach on the first playoff hole in the water and lost to Zach Johnson. In 2008, he beat Perry on the first extra hole when Perry's approach ricocheted off a tree and into the water.
Ranking 170th on tour in driving distance at 278.6 yards per drive, 177th in eagles and 83rd in birdies, but a solid tie for 18th in putting, Imada said he is hoping the usual trade winds are in play this week.
''If it is playing firm and fast, then sure it fits me,'' the 5-foot-8, 150-pound Imada said. ''If it is kind of slow and wet, I don't know that it fits my game. I am definitely not a long hitter. I am definitely hoping that is fast and firm. Your short game has got to be in great shape. If the golf course is that long, you know you are going to miss some greens, so it comes down to putting, mainly. You just have got to make some putts. It is not as much, 'How you are playing?' It is, 'How you are putting?' '
Imada will tee off Thursday, January 8, at 12:20 p.m. HST (5:20 p.m. EST).