Just happy to be here? Not anymore.

Tadd Fujikawa carded nine birdies on his way to an 8-under-par 62 yesterday at Waialae Country Club and rocketed up the Sony Open in Hawaii leaderboard.

The Moanalua High School senior enters today's final round of the $5.4 million event tied for sixth place, trailing leader Zach Johnson by two strokes. He'll tee off with Nathan Green at 12:52 p.m.

Fujikawa electrified Waialae two years ago when he became the youngest player to make the cut in a PGA Tour event in 50 years.

He again put a charge into the sizable gallery yesterday and went into the clubhouse with a share of the lead after starting the day tied for 50th.

“;I think the other year, it was more of just having fun and getting experience,”; Fujikawa said. “;But this time ... I'm out here to win, and my game feels more consistent than it did last time.”;

After two blustery days at Waialae, Fujikawa took advantage of a calm morning in posting three straight birdies to open the round. He played the back nine at 4 under, closing with back-to-back birdies.