MEMPHIS (Tenn.) — Francisco Soto wore the Chilean flag around the neck in the misting drizzle. He carried it from hole to hole at TPC Southwind wherever Joaquin Niemann was, hoping that his favorite golfer would notice.
Franciso Soto, Jr., said, “He’s huge fan,” trailing from behind, exaggerating the word “huge”, in a way that only a son can, indulging in his father’s obsession. He never misses the tournaments that he plays. He is always there to watch.”
No matter what format or name it takes, the Memphis golf tournament can mean many things to many people. This is especially true in Thursday’s first round. The galleries are often at their thinnest, and yet the galleries are full of substance.
These two Soto men are the reason they were in Memphis to track Niemann, their countryman, and South America’s greatest golfer, at this moment.
Francisco Soto (front) and Francisco Soto Jr. (back), watch Joaquin Niemann, their favorite player, during round one of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind, Memphis, on Thursday, August 11, 2022.
Francisco Soto and his wife moved from Santiago, Chile four months ago. She is a nurse practitioner and was recently hired by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He said that their plan is to stay in Memphis for all eternity. His son, who has been visiting Memphis for the past month with bittersweet emotions, is now getting to know where his father lives.
So, the first FedEx St. Jude Championship day was also the last day they were together before Soto Jr. returned home to Santiago for college.
It was a small slice of home.
Leaderboard
Soto, 54, is currently unemployed in Memphis due to visa issues. However, he was previously employed in Chilean marketing and advertising. Soto was part of the South American golf tour organizing teams. After years of watching television, Soto attended this tournament for the first time.
He was captivated.
“You feel the sound. The noise is felt. You feel the birds. “You feel the voice of players,” Soto stated. “You are very close.”
Francisco Soto watches Joaquin Niemann, his favorite player, during round one of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind, Memphis, Thursday, August 11, 2022.
This is easy to forget when all the news is about LIV Golf, lawsuits and the impending battle for golf’s soul. It is easy to forget that Soto and other PGA Tour players are all around the circuit. They would not have ever set foot on the TPC Southwind grounds if it wasn’t for this tournament.
Memphians have the opportunity to enjoy this sport in a way that is not possible any other week. All the best athletes in the world will be there to cheer on a successful shot or to groan after a poor one.
Niemann finished with a 1-over par 71 in scorching conditions on Thursday. Niemann is now back in the leaderboard, which features many intriguing stories, including Tony Finau (6 under), who is looking for a win in his third straight start, and Rickie Fowler (the man of many ads and the last golfer to make it into the FedEx Cup playoffs).
If Niemann wins, Soto will be back for Saturday’s third round.
He approached the rope line after Niemann had missed another hole. The Chilean flag was now draped over Niemann’s left shoulder. After following Niemann for four hours, he decided to wear the flag “for my country but also for Niemann”, he stated.
Soto told him that “Tomorrow” was a new day, and “the best day.”
By: Mark Giannotto
Title: A Chilean flag for Joaquin Niemann, a St. Jude connection and a memory made through golf
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/08/11/chilean-flag-joaquin-niemann-fedex-st-jude-championship/
Published Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2022 21:04:12 +0000
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