Hiroyuki Fujita is very concerned about the Level 5 disaster warnings announced in his local Fukuoka Prefecture, but he also has another sorrow in his heart. His home is not so far from Keya GC and he used to come to see the tournament since his junior days with his father. After Hiroyuki turned pro in 92, his father always came to cheer for him at Keya GC. But his beloved father passed away just before this year's season started.

"I thought he could come and see me once more this year."
He was able to visit him a week before his death, but Hiroyuki was really looking forward to seeing him again at Keya.
"I wanted to play well so that my father would praise me."

His father had suffered cerebral infarction in 2012, the year that Hiroyuki became Order of Merit Champion. After the stroke, he stayed in bed and couldn't go to the tournaments to cheer for him. So, the tournament here in his home country meant so much for this father and son. When he was able to accomplish the father and son goal by winning here at Keya in 2014, Hiroyuki burst in tears.
"I never cried when I won, but I did it for my father and I wanted to win so much."

Now his father is gone.
"I think I felt motivated while he was with me. I wanted to win for him."

Hiroyuki became 50 years old in June, and now he will join the Senior Tour.
"The things I could do 10 times has decreased to 6 to7. I do have some age-related troubles. I am thinking to put golf aside for a while. I may need it to get stress free. But this week I want to play my best because I know he is watching over me. I think I can feel calm and at peace playing here this week."