Falling Stars at The Honda Classic

Pro golf stars are fading like five dollar beach towels at The Honda Classic at PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. So, either "all these guys are good" or the big boys are a little off their game. I suppose it's a mildly good sign that Honda kept their sponsorship given the current state of the auto industry.

Household name, Y.E. Yang was the leader after today's 2nd round at 68, 65, 133. Yang's roller coaster career has included the highlight of beating Tiger Woods at the HSBC Champions in 2006 and the low light of being disqualified in defending his title in Shanghai for having an incorrect scorecard. A recognizable name, Robert Allenby was one back at 134. The rest of the top of the leader board was filled with journeymen players including Will MacKenzie, 134, Jeff Overton, 134, Ben Crane, 135, David Mathis, 136, etc., etc. With all due respect to Mrs. and Mrs. Klauk, I haven't heard of their son Jeff, who was settled into a six way tie for 7th. 19 year old Rory McIlroy, along with Stewart Cink were bigger names that were within pistol range, five behind Yang.

To find the big names you had to scroll farther down the list. Sergio, 6 back, Rocco, 7 back, Calcavecchia, 8 back, Darren Clarke, 8 back, Davis Love III, 9 back, Woody, 10 back, defender Ernie Els, 10 back, Leonard, 10 back, Lowery, 10 back. Evidently 10 back is a popular spot to make a move on Saturday from.

Missed cuts, (+3), featured Appleby, Faxon, Romero, JB Holmes, Villegas, Snedeker, and Justin Rose.

The "feel great" story is undoubtedly Erik Compton. His pair of 69s put the double heart transplant recipient, with the last being in 2008, at within five shots of the leader. 2nd place "feel good" story was Tadd Fujikawa, 18 year old Hawaiian, whose 20 foot birdie on his final hole put him one shot within the cut line, 9 shots off the pace. Fujikawa had the dubious distinction of finishing dead last through two rounds of this tournament last year.

Stay tuned to see if a relative no-name breaks from the pack, earns a two year tour exemption, and places his name on your watch list.



Til' next,

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.