Though he missed some class time this week, Tadd Fujikawa got an education at Waialae Country Club.

Fujikawa's final round at the Sony Open in Hawaii amounted to an object lesson in the fickle nature of the game.

A day after firing a 62 to put himself in contention at the $5.4 million tournament, Fujikawa scuffled to a 3-over-par 73 to slip from a tie for sixth place entering the day to a share of 32nd with six other golfers.

“;I went out there with the same mind-set and same strategy and things just didn't work out,”; Fujikawa said outside the scorer's trailer. “;I hit a few good shots, but overall it just wasn't my day. I missed a few putts and it's just hard to get any momentum like that.”;

Fujikawa finished 12 spots lower than in 2007, when he made the cut as an amateur, closing the weekend at 5-under 275 for the tournament. But unlike two years ago, he was able to claim $29,237.14—not a bad haul for the 18-year-old, who promised to treat friends and family to dinner last night.

“;At least I get a check,”; he said.

Although there were the inevitable musings on what could have been yesterday, the Moanalua High senior took a wider view of the week's events after making the cut at a PGA event for the first time as a professional.

“;After yesterday's great round, today I had high expectations of myself,”; Fujikawa said, “;and it was a little sad knowing that I did it yesterday and I had a great opportunity and I just kind of let it slip.

“;But that's golf and that's life and you learn from your mistakes and you move on and do better next time. That's what it's all about.”;

 

  Fujikawa Attracts Big Following At Sony Open

 

  Hundreds followed local favorite Tadd Fujikawa as he competed in Hawaii’s Sony Open. 

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  Fujikawa arrived at the first tee two strokes out of the lead and was greeted by an enthusiastic gallery hoping to witness more of the magic that propelled him to the “;round of my life so far”; on Saturday.

But he couldn't make a charge at the leaders as he scribbled 4s onto his card on each of the first 11 holes of what he called “;a really boring round of golf.”; The first deviation in that streak came with a 5 on the par-4 12th hole, his fourth bogey of the round against one birdie to that point.

The easy smiles of Saturday were replaced by expressions of consternation as putts that dropped the previous day instead burned the edges of the cup before sliding past. Four drives drifted into the rough on the right side of the fairway, perhaps a sign of fatigue after a weeklong grind that began with qualifying a week before.

“;He just didn't feel comfortable today for some reason,”; said Shakil Ahmed, Fujikawa's caddie.

“;It just seemed like he was tired, coming off of the shots, same thing with the putts. Yesterday we had some good breaks. Today the breaks were just not with him.”;

Fujikawa's two birdies came on the par-5 ninth hole and the par-4 15th, when he found the middle of the fairway, stuck his approach to within 7 feet and got a tricky downhill putt to fall.

He then parred the final three holes, receiving a rousing ovation on his walk to the 18th green.

After tapping in his par putt to close the weekend, Fujikawa said he didn't know where his next tournament would be.

But being in contention going into Sunday at a PGA Tour event and the buzz he generated with his 62 could create more opportunities as the season progresses.

“;It definitely got the phones ringing,”; Fujikawa said. “;My agent said he didn't sleep in two days. I feel bad for him, but at the same time I feel good for him. It's a good thing.”;