Hilo's Hayashi reluctantly steps from shadows into media glare

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Columnist

Kevin Hayashi's plan to play "under the radar" blew up when he was paired with Michelle Wie. Advertiser library photo • Dec. 9, 2002

This was the year Hayashi told himself he would furtively sneak up on the Sony Open in Hawai'i and avoid the pressure that has come with trying to land a weekend spot in the home state PGA Tour stop.

After missing the cut in three previous Sony Opens and one Hawaiian Open, sometimes narrowly, the Hapuna head pro figured he would take the low-stress, mellow approach in 2004.

And, why not? With all the television cameras and local eyes on Michelle Wie, who'd be watching the Aloha Section PGA Player of the Year, anyway?

And even in the ranks of Hawai'i golfers, there was Dean Wilson, David Ishii or Greg Meyer for the local galleries to stake out.

"My game has been good and I figured I'd play a lot better in the Sony this year because I could travel under the radar," said Hayashi, a multiple winner of the Hawai'i State Open.

But a funny thing happened on the way to his week of blissful anonymity at Waialae Country Club.

When the early pairings were announced for today's opening round, Hayashi, far from being relegated to an obscure fringe presence, finds himself smack dab on center stage.

When Wie tees off from the 10th tee at 8:59 a.m. today, her threesome will include Craig Bowden, of Bloomington, Ind., and ... Hayashi, of Hilo.

"I thought I was going to be under the radar and here I jump to the most (visible) group," Hayashi said.

Of the 143 other players he could have been paired with, Hayashi got the one in all the headlines and on everybody's lips. Instead of Fred Funk's group, he draws a supporting role in Wie's ballyhooed coming out party.

"The first time they told me who I'd be playing with, I was in disbelief," Hayashi said. "I didn't know if they were kidding me or what. But they told me, 'no, we're serious.' "

Already, he's learned what some of that means. "From my friends, it is like, 'you better not let Michelle beat you,' " Hayashi said. "But if she beats me, she beats me because she's good enough to beat me, let me tell you. She's good enough to beat a lot of people."

On reflection, Hayashi has come to appreciate the spot he has landed in after all. "After a while, after I thought about it, I was kind of happy to be playing with Michelle. I've been a supporter of Michelle for a long time. I know her and the family and I'd like to be there to see her do well."

Now, Hayashi takes the irony of his situation with a smile. "It is like, 'OK, here we go, I'm definitely not going to go unnoticed this year.' "

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.