Tadd Fujikawa, best known for being the youngest player to ever compete in a U.S. Open as a 15-year-old in 2006, will now be best known for becoming the first male professional golfer to come out publicly as gay.
Fujikawa, who currently plays on the PGA Tour Canada, announced via Instagram on Wednesday, inspired by World Suicide Prevention Day.
“So…I’m gay.” Fujikawa wrote. “Many of you may have already known that. I don’t expect everyone to understand or accept me, but please be gracious enough to not push your beliefs on me or anyone in the LGBTQ community. My hope is this post will inspire each and every one of you to be more empathetic and loving towards one another.
“I’ve been back and forth for a while about opening up about my sexuality. I thought that I didn’t need to come out because it doesn’t matter if anyone knows. But I remember how much other’s stories have helped me in my darkest times to have hope. I spent way too long pretending, hiding, and hating who I was. I was always afraid of what others would think/say.
"Now I'm standing up for myself and the rest of the LGBTQ community in hopes of being an inspiration."
American professional golfer Tadd Fujikawa has come out as gay: https://t.co/OgDnJVPj92 pic.twitter.com/DHDzkNdnKe
— CNN Sport (@cnnsport) September 13, 2018
“I’ve struggled with my mental health for many years because of that and it put me in a really bad place. Now I’m standing up for myself and the rest of the LGBTQ community in hopes of being an inspiration and making a difference in someone’s life. Although it’s a lot more accepted in our society today, we still see children, teens, and adults being ridiculed and discriminated against for being the way we are. Some have even taken their lives because of it. As long as those things are still happening, I will continue to do my best to bring more awareness to this issue and to fight for equality.
“Whether the LGBTQ is what you support or not, we must liberate and encourage each other to be our best selves, whatever that may be. It’s the only way we can make this world a better place for future generations. I don’t want this to be focused on me. I just want to spread love and acceptance to others who are in a similar situation.
“If anyone out there is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. YOU ARE LOVED AND YOU ARE ENOUGH…AS IS, EXACTLY AS YOU ARE!
“I can’t wait for the day we all can live without feeling like we’re different and excluded. A time where we don’t have to come out, we can love the way we want to love and not be ashamed. We are all human and equal after all. So I dare you…spread love.
“Let’s do our part to make this world a better place.”
Fujikawa has had an up-and-down career since his qualification in 2006 at Winged Foot. The following year, the Hawaii native became the youngest player in 50 years to make a cut on the PGA Tour, playing the weekend and finishing T20. Fujikawa decided to turn pro later that year.
He has made 14 career starts on the PGA Tour with a T19 at the 2012 Sony Open representing his best finish. His biggest win to date came last December when the then-26-year-old won the Hawaii State Open.
