At the 2001 Honda Classic in Florida, 16-year-old Ty Tryon became the second-youngest golfer ever to make a cut on the PGA Tour. Tadd Fujikawa earned that distinction when he finished 20th at the Sony Open in Hawai'i two years ago. Fujikawa followed up with a charge at this year's Sony title and today he will tee it up at the Honda for the second year.

Fujikawa, a senior at Moanalua High School, isn't the only teenager in the tournament. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, 19, is making his first start in a PGA Tour stroke-play event after getting a share of fifth at last week's Accenture Match Play Championship.

This is Fujikawa's first start since he tied for 32nd at Sony and came back three weeks later to get a share of 22nd at the Hawai'i Pearl Open. He has been working with his coaches at Sea Island, S.C., much of the time since and comes to the PGA National Resort and Spa with high hopes on a course where few go low; Ernie Els' 6-under-par score was good enough to win last year.

Fujikawa's focus this week is to commit to every shot and not think about results.

"I tend to try too hard so, for me, I need to just play my game and stay committed to every shot," he said last night by phone. "It was tough before because I was going through swing changes and a lot of stuff. Now I'm finally slowly feeling comfortable with what I'm doing. I'm looking forward to this year, to playing as many tournaments as I can and getting in contention as much as I can."

Fujikawa tees off the 10th hole today at 8:01 a.m. HST, and the first hole tomorrow at 3:21 a.m. The first two rounds are on The Golf Channel, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. HST. The final two rounds are on NBC, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fujikawa will play next week at the PGA's Puerto Rico Open.

UEOKA HONORED

Santa Clara sophomore Miki Ueoka, a Kaua'i High graduate, is the West Coast Conference Women's Golfer of the Month for February. Ueoka earned her second individual title at the Fresno State Lexus Golf Classic.

She finished at 7-under par 209 (68-69-72) and posted the two best rounds ever by a Bronco on the first two days.

Ueoka earned medalist honors ahead of four nationally ranked players.

Earlier in the month, she was second at the UC Riverside Lady Braveheart, one stroke out of first. In the fall, Ueoka medaled at the Boise State Bronco Invitational.

NOTES

Hawai'i's David Ishii fired a 68 in the Toshiba Classic's Monday qualifier, but failed to earn a place in the Champions Tour event in California. He will try again next week at the AT&T Champions Classic.

Mauna Lani Resort will have its annual Demo Day Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Francis H. I'i Brown practice range. Representatives from Titleist/Cobra, Nike, Ping, Callaway and TaylorMade will have the latest equipment to try. There will be prizes, professional club-fitting, swing analysis and special pricing. For more information, call 885-6655 on the Big Island.

Brad Baptist, pro at Mauna Kea Resort's Hapuna Golf Course, and Mauna Kea Tennis Director Craig Pautler will guest on Emily T Gail Talks Golf Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN Radio AM850 Hilo AM and 790 Kona.

March 13 is the entry deadline for the Na Hoaloha O McKinley Golf Tournament, a benefit for the McKinley athletic department. The tournament will be April 9 at Leilehua, with an 11:30 a.m. shotgun start. Format is three-person scramble and cost is $130 per player. Photo ID or driver's license is required at the U.S. Army course. For more information, call Neal Takamori (594-0418).

Registration is open for First Hawaiian Bank REHAB Golf Challenge 2009, May 27 at Hawai'i Prince. Format is three-person team scramble. Sponsorships are $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000. Teams are $750. For more information and registration, call 566-3451.