NOTES
Sony attendance up on Friday with Wie

Advertiser Staff

Sony Open in Hawai'i tournament officials announced that attendance for Friday's round was up 22 percent over the same day in 2003, to see Michelle Wie attempt to make the cut.

That followed on the heels of the 18 percent rise for Thursday's opening round.

A spokesman did not provide actual turnstile counts.

ESPN's ratings were also expected to show a significant climb for Friday after devoting most of its airtime to Wie. But the cable network said figures would not be available until Tuesday.

Juniors get a boost from Ishii appearance on TV

David Ishii, whose foundation is the corporate sponsor for the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association boys and girls state championships, was a guest on the cable program "Inside the PGA Tour" to discuss junior golf in Hawai'i and the number of high caliber players that has been produced.

Ishii, a former state champion, won the 1990 Hawaiian Open.

Even Michelle's dating advice is a tall order

Overheard in Michelle Wie's gallery Friday from father to son:

"That's somebody you should try to get a date with."

When he asked Michelle Wie in a Golf Channel interview if she had a boyfriend, commentator Mark Rolfing said, "She said, 'No,' but she said she wouldn't date anybody shorter than me."

Prospects under 6 feet apparently should not apply.

But Davis, did it shave strokes off your round?

Davis Love III said he got mixed results after shaving off his goatee Tuesday.

"A lot of young people asked me, why did you shave it (off)?" Love said. (But) my mom and other people said, 'thank you' for shaving it off, finally."

That's one way to spend the day after missing the cut

Wie spent most of yesterday as part of the ESPN broadcast team.

She did a stint in the TV booth before venturing out on the course where she accompanied commentator Charlie Reimer.

During a post-round interview with Ernie Els, Reimer said, "Not only is she trying to take your job, she's trying to take mine, too."

"She's coming from all angles," Els said later.

End quote

David Ishii, who started off with bogeys on the first, third and fifth holes yesterday:

"I don't like the front nine (at Waialae). I hope to get off to a better start tomorrow."