Kyle Suppa’s thrilling run at the Sony Open in Hawaii came to an end on the third day of competition. The amateur’s promising career, however, is only getting started.
Saturday’s secondary cut was one cut too many for Suppa, the 16-year-old Punahou junior who turned heads around Waialae Country Club for making it to the weekend.
He shot a 1-over 71 Saturday and missed the extra cut by two strokes.
Suppa was disappointed but poised moments after a bogey on his final hole, No. 9, sealed his fate. It did nothing to diminish the fact that he is among the eight youngest players to make a cut on the PGA Tour — the same short list Tadd Fujikawa graces for making the 2007 Sony cut as a 16-year-old.
“It’s been amazing,” Suppa said. “All my friends and family out here supporting me. Happy I lasted this long.”
He then signed memorabilia for fans, friends and family who waited along the ropes for him.
The secondary cut occurs when 78 or more players survive the initial cut — the top 70 plus ties make it to the final day. Normally, golfers culled by the secondary cut still receive a paycheck. Of course, as an amateur Suppa does not receive anything … except plenty of respect from possible future peers.
“It was a great experience watching how the pros play and being able to compete with them,” said Suppa, who is verbally committed to play golf at USC. “Seeing where I am and what it feels like to be under pressure like this.”
He looked the part most of the way, and his playing partners Saturday, Martin Flores and Jonathan Randolph, seemed to treat him as a regular.
“They congratulated me on how I did this week and said I have a bright future,” Suppa said.
PGA Tour rookie Justin Thomas, who’s four shots off the lead heading into the final day, experienced a similar situation as Suppa at the 2009 Wyndham Championship. He made the initial cut as a 16-year-old but was pared out of a crowded field after the third day.
Still, it was inspiration and something to build off for Thomas. He recalled playing with Jimmy Walker — who now leads the Sony at 16 under with a chance at a repeat title heading into the final day.
“It really got me going for wanting to be out here (as a career),” Thomas said. “I remember the third day when (Walker) was up and coming and now look where he is. He still says hey to me and remembers me somewhat and even at 21 (years old) that’s unbelievably cool.”
Suppa played right around par for the third straight day, but the difference this time at the course he knows so well were two bunker shots that hindered him down the stretch. He bogeyed the difficult No. 6, his fourth-to-last hole, and could not convert birdie opportunities on 7 and 8.
“I saw the scoreboard on (8), and I was 71st,” Suppa said. “So I figured I needed a birdie.”
But he was in trouble when he hit his drive into a fairway bunker. He got out cleanly, but his fourth shot on the par-5 hole was a 25-foot chip from the rough bordering the green. It rolled long by 10 feet.
The gallery of about 100 gave him hearty applause as he walked off the green. His final line read 69-69-71—209 for 1 under par.
Up next for Suppa? The Punahou golf season next month.
“Just an awesome experience,” said Jason Deigert, Suppa’s caddie and swing coach. “To be able to come out here and make the cut after two rounds. And just play good, solid golf. I mean, for a 16-year-old kid, that’s really good. He’s got plans and goals to play at the next level and to be out here competing with these guys, and doing well against them. I think it’s a great springboard for his golf career.”
