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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, January 15, 2004

AROUND THE GREENS
Hayashi taking cue from Wilson

By Bill Kwon

Dean Wilson, who played a historic round with Annika Sorenstam last year, knows what Kevin Hayashi will face in this week's Sony Open.

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Dean Wilson knows exactly how fellow Hawai'i pro Kevin Hayashi must feel being in the reflected media glare caused by a fortuitous draw of a uniquely celebrated playing partner.

Wilson played with Annika Sorenstam in her historic appearance in the Bank of America Colonial last May and was remembered more for his sportsmanship toward her than his own showing in the event.

Heck. It was Annika's tournament. So much so that a future trivia question will be: Who won the Colonial in 2003? The answer: Kenny Perry.

Now, Hayashi finds himself as the "Dean Wilson" of the 2004 Sony Open for being paired with Michelle Wie for the first two rounds starting today at the Waialae Country Club. They will be joined by Craig Bowden, a 35-year-old Nationwide Tour graduate from Indiana.

Wilson, who finished 98th on the PGA Tour's 2003 money list after earning $645,345 in his rookie season, and Hayashi — receiving a sponsor's exemption as the Aloha Section PGA's player of the year — discussed their similar roles after Tuesday's practice round.

"I'm going to read all of his (Wilson's) clips and see what he said about Annika so I can say the same thing," Hayashi said.

"I'll even wear a 'Go Michelle' button if I can find me one," added Hayashi, referring to Wilson sporting a "Go Annika" button at a pre-tournament press conference at the event in Fort Worth, Texas.

A lot of golf fans, including those who had never followed the sport before, got to know Wilson because of seeing him with Sorenstam on national television.

"Playing with Annika was a great experience. I was proud to play with her. There was a lot of media attention and a lot of people knew me from playing with her," said Wilson, making his third straight appearance in the Sony Open.

He missed the cut last year in his first tournament after earning his player card in the 2002 Qualifying School.

"Disappointing. But it's not the first time, not the last time I'll miss a cut," Wilson said about his showing at Waialae last year.

He had finished tied for 23rd after Monday qualifying the year before. It had been his best showing in a PGA Tour event before gaining an exempt status.

Hayashi knows he will get a lot of television exposure as Wilson did at Colonial when ESPN cameras focus on the 14-year-old Wie, believed to be the youngest player — male or female — to play in a PGA Tour event.

"I think it'll be fun. It's good for Michelle, too, playing with someone she knows. I've always been supportive of her," said Hayashi, the Hapuna head golf pro who represents the Mauna Kea Resort.

Hayashi isn't worried about the galleries that will follow Wie.

"I'm pretty nervous when I play the Sony Open anyway, so it won't be anything new," said Hayashi, who has missed the cut in his three previous Sony appearances. "The only pressure I'll get will be from my friends, like Allan Ikawa and Warren Haruki. They're going to get on me if I lose to Michelle. I need to get the ball (on my drives) farther out than her."

Playing with Wie could be a lucky charm for the 41-year-old Hilo native and four-time Hawai'i State Open champion.

Certainly, playing with Sorenstam gave Wilson a career boost, besides adding to his fan appeal.

Despite a disappointing start last year at the Sony Open, Wilson put together a solid rookie season.

He made the cut in 15 of 27 tournaments with two top-10 finishes — a sixth-place tie in the Chrysler Classic at Tucson and a seventh-place tie in the Wachovia Championship — the latter rewarding him with the biggest tour paycheck of his career ($168,700).

Then there was that 21st-place finish at Colonial when he made the cut and Annika didn't. But who noticed?

"There was one stretch when I didn't play so well. And I had a lot of new things to get used to. New courses, new routines," Wilson said.

Like Hayashi, Wilson is glad to see Wie playing this week.

"Fourteen-year-old girl or boy, I think it's fantastic. It's a great opportunity for her and it's going to have more people turn on the television," Wilson said.

As for his goals this year, Wilson said he wants simply to try and get better and move higher on the money list.

"Work hard on my game and my fitness. And I want to get in contention. I was sixth and seventh but never close to the lead," said Wilson, one of only seven (out of 38) players to retain status out of the 2002 Tour Q-School.

"Hopefully, I can get off to a good start."

Bill Kwon can be reached at bkwon@aloha.net.