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John Maggines
PGATOUR.com Contributor

Editor's note: John Maginnes played the PGA TOUR for a decade and also won three times on the Nationwide Tour. Maginnes now works as an analyst for the PGA TOUR Network on XM Satellite Radio. He will be contributing regularly to PGATOUR.com.

I have a new tee shirt that reads "FUJI'S FANATICS." I know that I am supposed to be impartial but I don't care.

Every now and then we are reminded that golf really is a game. Games are for kids -- it is adults that can ruin them. Thanks to Tadd Fujikawa at the Sony Open in Hawaii, though, we were all reminded that golf is a game to be played and enjoyed. It was impossible to suppress a smile as he rolled in his eagle putt on the final hole Friday and raised his arms in triumph.

The comparisons to a certain Hawaiian teen are inevitable. Ironically, the most criticism that I have received this week has come from my handling of Michelle Wie. The majority of the listener and reader responses that have found their way to my in-box have said that I have not been critical enough of the talented young lady. And while I agree and have stated that I do not think that it would be prudent for her to continue her quest to play with the men, I have tried to express this with a certain amount of understanding.

My perspective could be a little different than most because I was on the PGA TOUR when Ty Tryon made his debut after passing the q-school test at the age of 17. The pressure on him to succeed was more than any teenager could handle. I believe that he will eventually make his way back to the TOUR and have a successful career. The difference is that Ty was not trying to break down gender barriers or blaze new trails. He was and is a talented young player who felt like it was his time. Justin Rose turned pro very early as well and it took him many years to hone his craft and become a successful professional.

I do not know what Tadd's plans are beyond the Sony Open. I would imagine that he hasn't thought too much about his future beyond 10th grade. He has said he wants to play the PGA TOUR. Of course, he would not even be eligible to compete on TOUR as a professional for two more years. Personally, I hope that he waits longer than that. PGA TOUR careers can span decades. I understand the urge to rush into a career but golf is a marathon not a sprint.

While we delight in the success of these young players it is important to remember that they are just kids. The burden of others expectations has been more than any young player can handle. Golf is not tennis or gymnastics where young players have an advantage. Golf is laden with infinite subtleties that can't be mastered even in a lifetime.

So the next time one of these youngsters emerges from the classroom to compete with the best players in the world root him or her on. There are lessons we can learn from their honesty and exuberance. Congratulations and thank you to Tadd Fujikawa for reminding us just why we play this wonderful game.