A new year, a new Tadd

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HONOLULU -- He turned 17 on Wednesday, but he still doesn't have his learner's permit.

And Tadd Fujikawa doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get one, either. He actually likes it when his mother drives "because that's the only time I get to rest," he says.

Last January, at 16, Tadd Fujikawa became the youngest player to make the cut in a TOUR event in 50 years. (Badz/PGA TOUR)

After all, between attending Moanalua High School and fine-tuning his golf game, the diminutive teenager doesn't have too much spare time -- particularly this week during the Sony Open in Hawaii.

A year ago, the solidly built 5-foot-1, 135-pounder stole the spotlight from another Hawaiian prodigy, Michelle Wie, as he became the second youngest player to ever make the cut in a PGA TOUR event.

Fujikawa electrified the fans on that historic Friday with a 66 capped by a dramatic 15-foot eagle putt on the final hole that elicited a fist pump that would have made Tiger Woods proud. The little man prolonged the excitement with another 66 on Saturday and eventually went on to tie for 20th.

Fujikawa returns to Waialae Country Club this week with the same infectious smile and almost shy giggle that endeared him to the world that magical week in 2007. He also brings with him an agent and endorsement deals after turning pro last July.

"For me, it was a pretty easy decision," Fujikawa said. "It was always my dream to play on TOUR and be competitive on TOUR."

His parents had a more difficult time with the transition.

Where their son, who was born three months prematurely and given a 50-50 chance of survival, saw only positives, they couldn't stop thinking about the things that might go wrong. In the end, though, the potential financial benefits outweighed the risks.

Traveling to big-time amateur events that offered the kind of competition Fujikawa needed to measure his progress was taking a toll on the family's bank account. At least as a pro, with endorsements from Aloha Petroleum, HMA and Kraft Foods, he can afford the plane tickets and hotels -- even if his mother has to drive the rental car.

"I told my parents that I really want to do this," Fujikawa said. "I'm going to do my best and just try my hardest and never give up. So they said OK, and I was pretty happy. Of course I didn't show it too much, but I was really happy after like months and months of begging.

"I think it was the right decision, and I have no regrets as of right now -- and hopefully, throughout my whole golf career."

Fujikawa will continue that budding career next month at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He hopes to compete in between 15-20 events on the PGA TOUR, Nationwide Tour, European Tour and Japan Tour this year.

In seven pro starts, though, Fujikawa has yet to make a cut -- which means he has not cashed a paycheck. Had he played the Sony Open has a pro last year, though, he would have made more than $42,000.

"My mom brought it up to me about three or four months ago, and she's like, 'You know, you haven't made any money yet. It's so sad,'" Fujikawa said with a smile. "I'm like, 'Oh, yeah, I forgot, I'm playing for money now so I'd better start doing better.'"

Fujikawa says he doesn't feel any different now that he's turned pro. He will be back in class next week studying marine science, piano, Japanese, English, math and world history. Before his interview on Wednesday, Fujikawa sat down at the piano outside the media room and played some classical music -- and he did it very well.

Tadd Fujikawa. (Badz/PGA TOUR)

"I don't think I have any homework, so I'm pretty happy about that," the high school junior said. " ... I really like science. I'm not really into that world history and English stuff. As long as you don't tell my teachers, I'm OK."

Suddenly, Fujikawa giggled. "I said that in front of the wrong people," he noted, looking out at several men and women who make their living by the written word.

Fujikawa thinks his game is more consistent this year than it was in 2007. He's been working with Todd Anderson, Mike Shannon and Randy Myers at Sea Island, Ga. -- the same group that works with the likes of TOUR winners Jonathan Byrd, Brandt Snedeker, John Rollins and Lucas Glover, among others.

Fujikawa knows he needs to improve his short game and wedges inside 100 yards in order to compete. He went to a left-hand-low grip about 10 days ago to cure a putting slump, and he plans to use that in competition for the first time at Waialae.

Length has never been an issue for the teen, who was winning national judo championships when he was 8 and weighed just 62 pounds. Fujikawa estimates that he carries his driver about 275 yards now and hits a 4-iron 215.

"He played in front of me in the Monday pro am, and he bombs it, little dude," said Fred Funk, who was surprised to hear that Fujikawa was just 17. "I was standing on the tee on 16, and I was just like, 'That's good, that'll work.' He has a good golf swing. He's a neat kid."

Fujikawa knows he comes to Waialae with more expectations than he did a year ago -- at least, as far as fans are concerned. He said the support he got last year helped him focus, and he hopes that he can channel that same mindset again this year.

"It would be pretty tough to top last year," Fujikawa admitted. "I mean, for me anyway, it was pretty special last year, just because I was kind of new to that thing and it just kind of came all of a sudden and I wasn't really ready for it. But it was fun.

"I think the only way I could top last year would be if I win this year."