Join us as we take a tour on the PGA Tour with Parker McLachlin, a former Punahou athlete. McLachlin earned his PGA Tour card for this season. He joins Castle alum Dean Wilson as the only Hawai'i golfers on the PGA Tour. McLachlin, Waikoloa's touring pro, will write his impressions on events that he's just completed and tournaments that are upcoming on his calendar.

Greetings from Reno.

I'm here at the Reno-Tahoe Open after a productive week at the Canadian Open. I had a great first two days in Canada and really started to putt well. I've noticed that my driving distance has gone up considerably over the past few weeks, and it was interesting to see my name in the Top 10 in driving distance. Making the cut last week gave me a lot confidence. I had a great first two rounds, and after my 67 on Friday I really started to feel like I'm turning the corner with my game on the PGA Tour.

I saw Tadd Fujikawa here on Monday and Tuesday, and it's great to see him out on the PGA Tour. (Tadd is playing in the group behind me, just like at this year's Sony Open.) I think Tadd has been practicing here for a little while and I expect — and hope — that he plays well. This is his first PGA Tour event as a professional, and I would like to see him get off to a nice start.

Seeing that we are out here in the hills near Lake Tahoe, Calif., you notice that your golf ball goes about 7 percent farther. The PGA Tour is very aware of the fact that guys like me are hitting drives in the 310- to 320-yard range, so there are a lot of par-4s here that are in the 490- to 500-yard range.

This is my seventh straight week on the road out here on the PGA Tour and it's nice to be back on the West Coast. I've got a lot of family and friends out here this week, and that has really provided me with a boost of confidence.

When you are out on the road so long in front of so many strangers, it's always nice to be able to look across the green and see family members. My comfort level is really strong on the West Coast. I'm sure part of that is due to the fact that I grew up in Hawai'i and played college golf at UCLA.

I hope you all have a great week, and I look forward to checking in with you next week.

Mahalo,

Parker

Parker McLachlin can be reached at www.parkermclachlin.com