Tadd Fujikawa Fires a 62 at Sony Open

The young man with a big heart brought his big game to the Sony Open's 3rd round, firing an 8 under 62 for a piece of the lead. He finished the round tied with Nathan Green and Tom Pernice Jr., all knotted at -8. Pernice and Green were just starting their 3rd rounds as of Average Golfer time. Also just beginning their rounds were the next four golfers on the board, Shigeki Maruyama and Brian Gay at -7 and Zach Johnson and Webb Simpson at -6.

Fujikawa carded his 62 the old fashioned way, 9 birdies and 1 bogey. The 18 year old, who begins his last semester of high school on Monday, has played in this event for the last two years. Once by winning a special qualifying tournament for local amateurs and once with a sponsor's exemption. This year he toughed it out and Monday qualified, bringing with it more of a sense that he belonged out here. His 69 yesterday in the 2nd round got him under the cut number at even par. His local course knowledge is an advantage, kind of like Woods at Torrey Pines. This makes Sunday worth watching, even with the NFL playoffs. How do you not root for this kid? The prevailing wisdom was that he turned pro too soon and didn't have the game or golf savvy to make it on tour, any tour. The only one who didn't listen to the rumblings was him. He overcame serious family problems and the distraction of having to travel from the middle of the Pacific to whatever continent would have him. I'd love to see him win this thing.

Notable scores include Pernice's 2nd round 63. Zach Johnson's 2nd round 65. Azinger makes the cut. Els, 7 back after round three. Players having an early Hawaiian vacation sans golf include JB Holmes, Bubba Watson, DL III, DiMarco, MacKenzie, Faxon, Pettersson, and Pavin.

Live scoring.

Nathan Green Leads Sony Open - Campbell Forgets to Enter

Subject to immediate change without notice, Nathan Green leads the Sony Open by a single stroke over yesterday's leader Shigeki Maruyama. Green was at -7 on the 17th hole as of this posting and Maruyama -6. In the clubhouse were Steve Marino, 67, -5, and David Toms, a previous winner, at -4 today, -4 overall. Due to the time delay in Hawaii many players have yet to begin their rounds, so expect a lot of movement on the leader board. Geoff Ogilvy, -4, and Boo Weekly, -4, were among those.

Although it's way too early to predict who will win this thing, it's not hard to say who won't. Among those with disastrous 2009 starts to their campaigns were Will MacKenzie, +4, Ryder Captain Corey Pavin, +5, Carl Pettersson, +5, Rich Beem, +6, J.B. Holmes, +8, and Notah Begay III, also +8. If this were a horse race the leaders would just be exiting turn two, with the trailers off your TV screen. You always know you're in trouble with the horse you bet on when you can't find the glue bag in the TV shot.

Chad Campbell Forgets to Enter Sony Open

Chad Campbell hopped on a plane in Texas for the arduous 8 hour flight to Hawaii hoping to pad his wallet and world ranking. The only thing he padded were his frequent flier miles. In a major blooper he'd neglected to enter the event leading to the shortest Hawaiian vacation on record. "Not good" he was quoted as saying. "I had actually thought about it on the plane." Before de plane boss, before de plane. Campbell is trying to protect his 64th position in the world rankings that would get him into the Accenture Match Play. He played a round with friends on Sunday at a different course, then red-eyed his way back to Dallas. Campbell claimed he usually received reminders from his agent or caddie. Sounds to Average Golfer like a Day Planner is in order.



Til' next,