StarBulletin.com

Fujikawa well received by PGA's best


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POSTED: Sunday, January 18, 2009

Zach Johnson's got a lot of experience with kids and is getting more all the time. His 2-year-old son, Will, sat in his lap yesterday as the 2007 Masters champion spoke of his methodical 4-under assault of windless—and hence, relatively defenseless—Waialae. It gave Johnson the lead—albeit a slim one—going into today's final round of the Sony Open.

He's well known for doing plenty of work with junior golfers back home in Iowa. And as a board member of the John Deere Classic, Johnson was a big backer of Michelle Wie's efforts a couple of years back to try to make a cut in a PGA Tour event.

So what does Johnson make of Tadd Fujikawa and his magical 62 yesterday? How crazy is it for a 5-foot-1, high school senior to nearly shoot his height in inches?

“;Obviously he's a talent, borderline phenom, considering what he's doing and how he's doing it,”; Johnson said. “;It's not a surprise based on what I've witnessed. But it is a minor shock based on the circumstances. You know, he's going to be great for golf if he continues what he's doing.”;

Tadd's already great for Hawaii golf and this tournament. No one can call him Fluke-ikawa after bouncing back from not making last year's cut, and doing so in such spectacular style.

The established pros like it that he earned his way in. Nearly all of them at some point had to Monday qualify, and they know how hard it is.

“;It's a good feeling knowing that they kind of accept you, and I feel I belong here, I really do,”; he said. “;Hopefully today kind of showed it.”;

I don't think he has to worry about that—yeah, it's early, but it's the best round of the year.

Advice for those of you wanting to get a look at Tadd today:

Get here early.

We're talking day-after-Thanksgiving early. Colt Brennan-autograph early. Obama-inauguration early.

His tee time with Nathan Green is 12:52 p.m. I'm thinking you're OK leaving the house around 9 ... last night, that is.

By mid-afternoon yesterday, Waialae was back to normal.

Hurricane Tadd had long since wreaked its happy havoc, his smiling face on all the big screens around the course as the veterans nibbled away at his lead. It took them hours, but Johnson, David Toms, Shigeki Maruyama, Brian Gay and Green all eventually slipped past.

By 6 p.m., Fujikawa's 62 was old news, but still big news.

“;Any kind of feel-good story is good for us,”; Toms said. “;If he goes out and plays great tomorrow and has a chance, that's a win-win for this tournament and for our tour.”;

Even if he doesn't, delicious possibilities abound for the months, years and decades ahead.

At some point of a session with reporters so long it was cut into two parts (so Tadd could take a break to talk to other reporters) the accommodating one was allowed to ask himself a question.

Tadd's query: “;Are you hungry?”;

Tadd's reply: “;Yes, I am.”;

Indeed, it was time for a late lunch. But you can certainly interpret it another way.

Shooting that kind of round and positioning yourself for the unthinkable just makes you want to get back out there, ASAP.