The Starter: Round 3, Sony Open in Hawaii

text size

Jan. 17, 2009
By PGATOUR.COM staff

The first group will soon tee off in today's third round of the Sony Open in Hawaii, the first full-field event of the 2009 season. Here's how it sets up:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
6:18 pm ET (1:18 pm in Hawaii)		Steve Marino, Geoff Ogilvy Marino took a huge step towards his first win with a second-round 67. He's already made 11 birdies this week. Track 'em
6:36 pm ET (1:36 pm in Hawaii)		Shigeki Maruyama, Brian Gay Gay birdied four straight holes in the second round to close within a shot of the lead -- and his second TOUR win. Track 'em
6:45 pm ET (1:45 pm in Hawaii)		Nathan Green, Tom Pernice Jr. Pernice's 63 in tough conditions on Friday was arguably the best round of the new PGA TOUR season. Track 'em

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR Network on-site correspondent Michael Collins previews Saturday's third round:
I followed Tadd Fujikawa on Friday, and he started the day at one over and got it to even-par at one time, but made a bogey on No. 6. His mom got a lot more nervous than he did.

Saturday's forecast

Partly cloudy
Temp: 76 high/64 low
Partly cloudy with only a 10 percent chance of showers. Winds will come from the north at 9 mph.

But then he had an eagle putt on No. 9 (his 18th hole of the day) that almost went in and I've never seen someone so happy about making the cut. The funny thing is, he's still trying to win. He's not satisfied with just making cut.

Today the weather is going to be a big factor. We're supposed to have perfect conditions with just a light trade wind, so scoring conditions will be perfect. Look for someone to put up at least a 64. The wet sunshine is gone and the true beauty of Hawaii and Waialae will shine on Saturday.

FUJIKAWA'S GOAL: FULL-TIME CARD IN 2010
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents
Tadd Fujikawa earned his way into the Sony Open in Hawaii this year, and that's why making his first PGA TOUR cut meant so much to him.

Fujikawa

"I think Monday qualifying was a big confidence booster, and being able to play in Hawaii is just phenomenal," the bubbly Fujikawa said as darkness settled over Waialae Country Club.

"Making the cut is even better. I'm really happy that it was my first cut, here, in Hawaii, and at home, and I still have two more days to play, though. I need to stay focused and finish out the week."

The teenager will now earn his first check on the PGA TOUR. His biggest payday was $13,500 when he won the Mid-Pacific Open last year. A solo last place finish among the 78 players who made the cut this week would be worth $9,936 -- and Fujikawa starts the weekend better, placed in a tie for 50th.

This is the third time Fujikawa has played in the Sony Open. He made the cut as an amateur in 2007, tying for 20th after rounds of 71-66-66-72. He turned pro several months later and this is his first cut in seven starts as a pro on TOUR.

The 5-foot-1 Fujikawa, who was three months premature and weighed 31 ounces at birth, will start the weekend at even par for the tournament and eight strokes off the lead held by Nathan Green and Tom Pernice.

"Two years ago, ... my expectation kind of was to make the cut, but this year, I'm out there to win," Fujikawa said. "I know I can do it, and I think what I've done with my game, and the improvements that I've made, it's just slowly creeping in, and hopefully by next year I can get my (TOUR) card and on my way."

MATHIS LEADS NATIONWIDE TOUR GRADS HEADING INTO WEEKEND
David Mathis, who finished 14th on the 2008 Nationwide Tour money list, posted a 68 for the second consecutive day to lead the graduating class through the first two rounds (tied for 11th).

Rookies in the top 25

Player	PGA TOUR route	Round 1	Round 2	Position
Webb Simpson	Q-school	66	68	T5
David Mathis	Nationwide Tour	68	68	T11
Wil Collins	Q-school	69	67	T11
Jeff Klauk	Nationwide Tour	69	69	T25

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today Win McMurry recaps the second round and looks ahead to Saturday. Watch it
	A fine effort by Chan 14-year-old Lorens Chan didn't make the cut, but he chipped in his the final hole for birdie.Watch it
	Mr. 63 Tom Pernice Jr. talks about the sensational round that gave him the last tee time for Saturday. Watch it

Thus far at Waialae

Round	Leader	Low round (par 70)	Key links
	Shigeki Maruyama (-5)	65: Shigeki Maruyama	Daily Wrap-Up \| Live Report Helen Ross column \| Notebook
Round	Leaders	Low round (par 70)	Key links
	Nathan Green, Tom Pernice (-8)	63: Tom Pernice	Daily Wrap-Up \| Live Report Helen Ross column \| Notebook