A former NCAA champion. Rookie of the year despite not having his PGA Tour card. A winner in his second full season at Michelob. And then a dry spell that has lasted more than four years and 123 tournaments since he last hoisted a trophy.

"I understand the questions people have and the comments they make -- 'Why haven't you won more?' " he said. "It's not something I haven't laid awake at night thinking about it. But if you keep giving yourself chances, you have to win one."

He gave himself a good opportunity today in the Sony Open, closing with birdies on his last two holes for a 5-under 65 that gave him a one-shot lead over Luke Donald.

Most believe -- and Howell agrees -- that his putter has kept him from winning. Howell devoted his offseason to the flat stick, making sure his father or swing coaches were watching so he wouldn't get into any bad habits. The results are obvious.

He is second in putting at Waialae, taking only 25 putts in the third round, including four par saves.

"My putter really bailed me out," said Howell, who was at 13-under 197. "I don't think I've ever been second in the field in putting after three rounds. We spent a lot of time on it, and I'm glad it's showing here."

Donald was 2 over for his round through six holes, but had a chance to join Howell atop the leaderboard with a long eagle putt on the par-5 18th. It veered to the left, and he settled for a 69 and a spot in the final group.

"I shot 1 under without holing much, so I'm pretty happy with my score," Donald said.

Goydos struggled with his putter down the stretch and shot 70, leaving him two shots behind at 199.

Still in the mix with the biggest smile at Waialae was 16-year-old Tadd Fujikawa, the pint-sized sophomore from Moanalua High School who delivered more surprises and allowed everyone to dream big. A day after becoming the youngest player in 50 years to make the cut on the PGA Tour, he shot another 66 and was tied for eighth, six shots behind.

"I don't have anything to lose right now," Fujikawa said.

Steve Stricker (67) and Ted Purdy (66) were another shot back, followed by Jim Furyk (69) and Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger, who shot 68 despite playing the two par 5s in 1 over.

Stricker might have been the only player at Waialae not surprised by Fujikawa. They played together in a pro-am Monday, and as the three-time PGA Tour winner kept writing down scores, he noticed he was getting beat. The kid shot 65 and beat him by four.

"He played great -- all 5 foot 1 of him," Stricker said.

Goydos and Donald were tied for the lead and on the putting green when a mass of people moved down the ninth fairway and created a huge traffic jam trying to get to the 10th tee to follow Hawai'i's latest golf hero.

"This is one of the great accomplishments," Goydos said. "You'd expect him to say, 'I accomplished something,' and lay down. And obviously, he didn't. It's still windy. It's difficult. And he's 8 under the last two days. That's better than I did."

Only Howell had a better score in the steady trade wind that blew about 20 mph.

Howell dropped shots on two par 3s and was lurking behind Goydos and Donald most of the day, then shot up the leaderboard on the strength of his putter. The 13th hole plays 479 yards and into the wind, and he did well to find the green from 195 yards away. Howell holed a 30-foot birdie putt, then hit wedge to 6 feet on the 14th.

With the leaders in neutral, Howell pulled ahead with an 18-foot birdie on the par-3 17th and an approach that just ran up to the green on the par-5 closing him, leading to a two-putt birdie.

Howell headed for the range to get his game in shape for tomorrow, a great chance for him to pick up his second victory.

He was in range at Waialae in 2002 until making only four pars in the final round to shoot 70 and tie for fourth. Two years ago, he was in the mix on the back nine until Vijay Singh pulled away.

Six players were within five shots of the lead, even the next Ryder Cup captain.

Azinger was steaming as he walked off the 18th green after failing to convert a birdie, and figured he had no chance. Then he found six text messages from friends, and might realized it wasn't all that bad. He barely kept his card last year (No. 121 on the money list), and he's in contention on a course where he won in 2000.

"I can still play a little," he said. "I seem to be able to get away with bad shots here."

Fujikawa has to be considered a long shot, although the way he played today, it was easy to believe in him. After missing a par putt on the second hole, he didn't get discouraged, he started pouring in everything he looked at. There was a 20-footer on the sixth with a few feet of break, and a 50-foot birdie putt from the other side of the green on the 11th.

"This isn't my job," he said. "I'm just out there having fun, soaking up all of the moments and doing my best."