Sunday, June 17, 2001
[HAWAII GOLF]
McLachlin, Hayashi Chris McLachlin couldn't ask for a better Father's Day present than for his son, Parker, to win the Sports Shinko Rainbow Open entering today's final round at the Mililani Golf Club.
chase Tischler in
Rainbow Open
Ganin-Asao and Mullen are
also in the hunt at MililaniBy Paul Arnett
parnett@starbulletin.comBut whether his dad stays with the golf bag remains to be seen.
During yesterday's second round, Parker McLachlin fired a solid 70 and finds himself tied for second with Kevin Hayashi, one stroke off the pace set by leader Ed Tischler.
Tischler followed up his opening round of 65 on Friday with a steady 71. The teaching pro for Coral Creek has led here after the first day for four consecutive years, but has yet to win it.
Rounding out the top five of the professional and amateur flights are University of Hawaii's Norman-Ganin Asao at 138 and pro Jerry Mullen at 139.
"It's something we'll talk about tonight,'' Chris McLachlin said of whether he will caddy for Parker today or yield to Waialae Country Club pro Greg Nichols.
"Greg has been with Parker from the beginning and would do a great job,'' Chris McLachlin said. "The best thing for me would be for Parker to win on Father's Day, no matter if I'm caddying or following along.''
The UCLA golfer, who recently finished tied for 16th at the NCAA national championship tournament in Durham, N.C., wouldn't mind putting the Rainbow Open title trophy on his shelf. But Parker McLachlin knows it will be difficult if he doesn't master his swing.
"If I want to give myself a chance, I need to strike the ball better,'' McLachlin said. "I hit two balls out of bounds and one in the water (and still only trails by one). I guess I'm putting well, but that's about it.
"I hit it pretty well at regionals (in Oregon where he finished tied for 38th overall at plus 7), but I really started playing better at the nationals. I hit it really well, but didn't make that many putts. Now I'm putting much better, but when I hit it, I'm not sure where it's going.''
Hayashi hasn't been beset with such problems and continues to be one of the hottest golfers in Hawaii. He followed his opening round of 67 with a 70 and is in good position to pull out another victory should his fellow competitors falter.
Tischler made it four straight years as the 18-hole leader with seven birdies and no bogeys during Friday's round. He was tied with Mullen for the lead, who had an uncharacteristic 74 yesterday.
In fact, the five leaders were a combined 30-under on Friday and only three strokes in the red yesterday. The cut for the pros was 150 and 154 for the amateurs.
"I know Saturday has always been bad for me because you have to play early in the morning after an afternoon round on Friday,'' Tischler said.
"I'm not an early morning person. I don't start teaching until around 10 a.m.
"So I usually come in here on Saturday and shoot my way out of it. I didn't do that today, so maybe that's a good sign. I really like the golf course and the people here really treat you special. Hopefully, I can come out tomorrow and shoot a low score and see if I can get my first win here.''
Asao is also looking for his first victory at the Rainbow Open. The 22-year-old has been one of the top amateurs of late. He advanced to the finals of last year's Manoa Cup, something younger brother, Kellen, matched last weekend.
"I'm in a good spot,'' Asao said. "Playing golf in the winter and spring prepares you for the summer events. I'm looking forward to playing (today).''