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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, July 19, 2007

GOLF REPORT
Extending my best to couple of up-and-comers

 •  Focus now falls on new professional Fujikawa

By Parker McLachlin
Special to The Honolulu Advertiser

2006 Hawai'i golf calendar
See a listing of all Hawai'i golf events this year.

Golf Tips logoGolf tips
Here are some tips to keep your game in tip-top shape!

Golf Guide logoAdvertiser golf guide
Here is a look at all of the golf courses in the state, with contact numbers, yardage and green fees.
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Join us as we take a tour on the PGA Tour with Parker McLachlin, a former Punahou athlete. McLachlin earned his PGA Tour card for this season. He joins Castle alum Dean Wilson as the only Hawai'i golfers on the PGA Tour. McLachlin, Waikoloa's touring pro, will write his impressions on events that he's just completed and tournaments that are upcoming on his calendar.

Aloha from Milwaukee, host city for this week's U.S. Bank Championship.

While I'm getting ready for this week's PGA Tour event, it's clear that the big story back at home is Tadd Fujikawa deciding to turn pro. I found out after my round last Thursday at the John Deer Classic, when The Golf Channel asked me about Tadd's decision.

As everyone knows, Tadd's a tremendous talent, and I'm very excited for Tadd and his family. I'm looking forward to seeing Tadd playing great golf for the next few years, and then hopefully joining me on the PGA Tour in 2009, when he becomes eligible. It would be a special moment if one day Tadd, Dean Wilson and I could all play in the final group on a Sunday.

Speaking of young golfers, I played a practice round earlier this week with the current No. 1 junior golfer in the USA, Phillip Francis. Phillip, who is 18, is playing in this week's PGA Tour event on a sponsor's exemption, and is headed to UCLA, my alma mater.

We spent a good deal of time talking about life on the PGA Tour, as well as life at UCLA. It was interesting playing a practice round with someone who was asking me about life on the Tour. Just three or four months ago, I was playing practice rounds with Zach Johnson, Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor, asking them about what to expect about life out here.

I feel good about this week. Whenever you make swing changes, you want to do them in the off-season, but I'm playing through some right now. It seems like every time I play, I'm learning more about how my swing reacts under the pressure of the PGA Tour lights. I'm starting to get on track with my ball striking, and I've had some great practice rounds this week. I think this week I could really come on strong.

This week's golf course is not very long, but it's narrow. It was built in the 1920s, so you have to be straight off the tee to score well. Last year, Corey Pavin won despite not being a long hitter. As long as you play the shots well off the tee, you can give yourself great opportunities to score here.

Parker McLachlin can be reached at www.parkermclachlin.com