Sometime over the past year, Tadd Fujikawa's bar of personal expectations was raised. Now the 18-year-old Moanalua High School senior is reaping the rewards at the 2009 Sony Open.

Fujikawa shot a 1-under 69 yesterday at Waialae Country Club to improve his two-day score to even-par 140, and made the cut in a PGA event for the first time as a professional.

Fujikawa's round was the epitome of steadiness on a day of inconsistently foul weather. He parred 13 straight holes before finishing strong by narrowly missing a 34-foot eagle on his final hole.

“;I've worked hard—really, really hard,”; said Fujikawa, who stands in a 13-way tie for 50th. “;I've gone though a lot of changes with my swing, and my short game and pretty much my whole game. Slowly paying off, and I've seen a lot of improvement. I just want to go out there and have fun and stay focused. I'm still out there to play golf, so I need to be in the zone and hopefully I'll do well.”;

He was the only Hawaii player to advance to the weekend, as PGA Tour members Dean Wilson (2-over 142) and Parker McLachlin (10-over 150) both succumbed in the difficult spurts of wind and rain—although Wilson's agony was much more pronounced. In a sudden downpour, he lipped out a 19-foot putt to save par on No. 18 and missed the cut by a stroke.

There would be no such trouble for Fujikawa. The hole that killed his rally for the cut line as a pro last year, No. 6, was still a problem (a bogey there broke his streak of pars). But he nearly saved par there, whereas he double-bogeyed it last year.

Fujikawa's boyish enthusiasm of two years ago—when as a 16-year-old he became the second-youngest player ever to make a PGA cut—has given way to the nonchalant professionalism of a veteran.

“;Honestly, it kind of feels like I'm supposed to (make the cut here),”; Fujikawa said. “;It feels, last year, or even the ending of last year, it would have been a big deal to me. But knowing how hard I worked and knowing that I have played well recently, honestly ... I really don't think of it as a big deal.”;

Fujikawa is guaranteed at least the $9,936 for a last-place finish among the 78 remaining players. His largest check to date is the $13,500 he got for winning the 2008 Mid-Pacific Open in April.

McLachlin, a Punahou graduate, was the only player with Hawaii ties to make the cut at the Sony last year. Right after his round, McLachlin offered his support of Fujikawa.

“;Yeah, good for him. Good for him,”; McLachlin said. “;I think that's great. I wish him the best. Any time a Hawaii guy makes the cut, it's a great thing.”;

It's Fujikawa's first made cut in seven PGA Tour starts as a pro, and his second in nine overall counting his 20th place finish as an amateur here in 2007.

Meanwhile, the 19-foot par miss of Castle graduate Wilson on 18 ended up being the difference between playing the weekend and going home.

“;I played better today, but unfortunately I bogeyed the last hole,”; said Wilson, who missed the cut at the Sony for the fourth straight year. “;I played well, gave myself a chance.”;

The inconsistent weather took McLachlin out of his game. He was 1 over on the day at the turn but then bogeyed six of his final nine holes to fall back completely.

'Iolani freshman Lorens Chan fell out of cut contention early yesterday after posting a 7-over 42 over his first nine. But he closed strong at 2 under after the turn to finish at 7-over 147 overall. John Lynch improved on his opening 78 with a 72 yesterday to match McLachlin at 150.