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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 5:41 p.m., Monday, December 18, 2006

Fujikawa earns Sony berth; Ishii just misses

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Moanalua High School sophomore Tadd Fujikawa cut through Waialae Country Club's gusty winds Monday to shoot the day's low round at the Sony Open in Hawai'i Aloha Section PGA Member-Only Qualifying.

Fujikawa's 5-under-par 67 gave him the lone amateur spot from a field of 12. Abe Mariano, an instructor at Pure Golf Academy, and David Chin, longtime pro at Navy-Marine Golf Course, earned the two professional spots. A field of 47 pros started the day.

Mariano and Chin both shot 71 along with David Ishii, the 1990 Hawaiian Open champion. Ishii pulled his drive into the trees on the first playoff hole and it could not be found. He teed off again and sank an eight-foot bogey putt, but lost the three-way playoff when Chun drained a 15-footer for par and Mariano two-putted for par.

Kevin Hayashi got the third professional spot by earning the Aloha Section's 2006 Player of the Year Award.

Fujikawa turns 16 the week of the Sony Open, which will be played Jan. 11 to 14 at Waialae. Punahou senior Michelle Wie and Punahou graduate Parker McLachlin were given exemptions by tournament organizers. Castle graduate Dean Wilson is in after finishing 22nd on this year's PGA Tour money list.

Honoka'a senior Sean Maekawa shot the day's second-best score, firing a 69.