TONGA – Tonga Police have confirmed that escaped murder suspect Dean Jay Fletcher had been located in Pago Pago, American Samoa where he is now detained on local charges.

Fletcher, who fled Tonga by yacht after escaping from a police cell in the Vava‘u islands was arrested in American Samoa not long after he entered the Pago Pago harbour without a permit.

He was reportedly trying to refuel his yacht but was prevented from doing so by a tanker that was blocking the port’s refuelling facilities.

He then attempted to sail away from American Samoa but was followed out of Pago Pago by a marine patrol boat which forced him to turn back to port.

“Fletcher has been arrested by local authorities and extradition proceedings have been commenced by Attorney General’s Office, Tonga and Attorney General’s Office, American Samoa and US Department of Justice,” said Tonga police Commissioner Steve Caldwell.

Fletcher escaped from Tonga police custody last week in Neiafu while awaiting arraignment on murder charges relating to the death of his wife while the couple were anchored in the northern islands of Vava‘u late last July.

He escaped Tonga on his own yacht the Sea Oak, chased by the police who were unable to apprehend him in Tongan waters.

Tonga’s Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell has sent a team of senior police officers to Vava’u to investigate the full circumstances of the escape of the prisoner on September 29.

“I have obvious concerns over this matter and people will be held to account if accepted procedures have not been followed,” he said today.

In the meantime on American Samoa, Fletcher has appeared in court with unlawfully entering Pago Pago harbour.

Fletcher was found to have entered the port without proper documents and without a yellow flag or any proof of clearance from the last port.

While in court the defendant tried talking directly to the District Court Judge Fiti Sunia but was stopped and told to get a lawyer. - PNC sources

Singh continues quest to win Fiji International

FIJI – Vijay Singh is putting added focus on his quest to win a maiden Fiji International golf title.

The Lautoka-born PGA superstar is one of eight Fijians in the field for the 2016 Fiji which is being hosted at the International Natadola Bay Championship Course.

The former world number one said he is currently striking the ball well, even if recent scores don’t show it, and hopefully “this can be my year”.

“It would be nice to win here. I am looking forward to it, I am going to do my best to see if I can pull it off,” he said.

Singh has been a dominant force in world golf for more than 34 years. Growing up in Nadi hitting golf balls on a driving range next to the airport, Singh went on to be the world number one, win three major titles and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Now at 53 years of age, while most of his competitors have transitioned on to the Champions Tour (a tour for over 50-year-olds), Singh continues to be competitive on the top flight PGA tour.

“I am so proud that Fiji now has a world-class tournament which brings some excellent golfers to the country. I love coming home to play,” he said.

“I have managed some good finishes in the first two Fiji Internationals but I am hoping this is the year I am victorious.”

Another local hope is Sam Lee, who finished 26th at Natadola Bay last year.

The 26-year-old made his professional debut last year but, after missing out at qualifying school, has spent much of 2016 at home reshaping his game.

“It has been a while since I have played in a tour event or a full tournament. So I have had some ups and downs and there’s a few things to work on especially short game. I guess there is some pressure on me to play well on a home course but I have been playing this course for the last two years,” he said.

“So it feels really good, really comfortable. The conditions are a little different this year a lot calmer. So I am expecting you know a lot of the other players will play well as well.”

Brandt Snedeker is the top-ranked player in the field at 23 in the world and will tee off fresh from helping the United States regain the Ryder Cup.

But the 35-year-old from Nashville is no stranger to Fiji.

“I was here eight years ago – my wife and I honeymooned here in Fiji so it’s not my first time and it’s probably the reason I came back – I realised how special and lovely this place is,” he said.

“Matt Kuchar was giving me a hard time last week, letting me know that he won this thing last year and I’ve got to hold up my end of the bargain now, so I feel a little more pressure on myself after that.”

Another PGA Tour winner in the field, Boo Weekley, has been impressed by the Natadola Bay course and is looking forward to the week ahead.

- RNZI/PNC