Honolulu's Tadd Fujikawa, 18, will be back in the Sony Open in Hawai'i.

Fujikawa, who played in the past two Sony Opens, qualified today by earning one of the four qualifying spots at par-72, 7,128-yard Turtle Bay's Palmer Course.

"I feel pretty good," Fujikawa said. "I'm very excited about being back at Sony.

"I've been really, really working hard. All the help from coaches and support from family and friends and all my hard work is paying off."

Fujikawa shot 33-34—67 and tied for top honors with San Diego's Alex Aragon and Japan's Jumpei Takayama.

John Lepak, who shot 35-33—68, won in a playoff to earn the fourth spot.

Lepak beat Derek Lamely (Fort Myers, Fla.) and Jay Williamson (St. Louis, Mo) by recording a birdie on the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th.

Another Hawai'i golfer, Jarret Hamamoto of Hilo shot 36-35—71 and did not qualify.

Fujikawa earned his spot in dramatic fashion, recording a birdie on the par-5 final hole.

"I didn't hit my drive far up enough where I could go for the green so I had to lay up," he said.

He then hit his wedge shot to two feet of the hole and drained the putt for a birdie.

"I figured 67 would be close to the number," he said. "I knew I had to make birdie to have a good chance."

Fujikawa had a bogey-free round with birdies on Nos. 3, 6, 9, 14 and 18.