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.

Average Golfer correction. Zach Johnson was not T68 after yesterday's 2nd round of the Valero Texas Open. He was T22 and is currently leading the tournament after a stellar 62 in round 3. Must have gotten some bad sushi I guess.