Aloha, unfortunately, from Scottsdale, Ariz., where I am after being eliminated from the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs.

I started last week a bit outside the Top 70 and needed to make the cut to get to the third playoff event. After the first round in Boston I was at even par, and noticed that everyone had gone very low. Mike Weir, from Canada, shot a remarkable round of 61. With the conditions the way they were — great greens and no wind — I could tell the scores were going to be extremely low and that I needed to come back in Round 2 with a strong score to make the cut. I knew making the cut would keep me safe for another round of the playoffs, but a missed cut would effectively end my regular season.

I haven't been putting the ball great, but I felt my game was going to come around in Round 2. Sure enough, after eight holes in the second round, I was still at even par, but knew I had great scoring options ahead. I birdied four of my next five and eventually came to the last hole thinking if I made par I would get a chance to play over the weekend.

I played two great shots on the 18th hole, and had about 30 feet downhill for birdie. I wasn't thinking about anything but birdie. I wasn't thinking about the cut line, and I certainly wasn't thinking about just two putting for a par.

All of a sudden I got a little excited with my putt and hit it 6 feet past the hole. In a matter of moments, I realized not only did I have to make this long putt to save par, but also to keep my regular season alive. Just like that, I lipped my putt out and ended up missing the cut by one shot. In a matter of moments, my first playoff experience was over.

Everyone on the PGA Tour misses cuts from time to time, but never have I been so angry about missing a cut. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to qualify for the BMW Championship, and will just miss out on the Tour Championship.

Because we were in Boston, Kristy encouraged me to go to the Red Sox game with her and get away from golf. Fenway Park was a blast. We had a great time as that ballpark is certainly the coolest baseball stadium I have ever been to.

For the next three weeks I'm going to be home in Arizona, but I'm excited to say that in the middle of September, Kristy and I are going to be heading back to Hawai'i to see family and friends. I will spend some time at Waikoloa, potentially putting on a junior clinic. I'll be home for about a week and I'm excited to see everyone very soon!

Mahalo,

Parker

Join us as we follow Parker McLachlin, a former Punahou athlete, on the PGA Tour. McLachlin, who joins Dean Wilson as the only Hawai'i golfers on the Tour, became a first-time winner in his second season at the Reno-Tahoe Open. He shares his thoughts on past and upcoming events throughout the year with Advertiser readers here and at www.HONOLULUADVERTISER.com