With Tadd Fujikawa generating all the buzz in the Sony Open in Hawai'i, Paul Azinger, the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, has been going along in near anonymity despite being tied for sixth going into today's final round.

In Friday's second round Azinger eagled the par-5 ninth hole for the second day in a row before only a handful of fans.

Is it an eagle if no one sees it fall?

Most of the attention at the time was focused on Fujikawa, who was finishing the back nine for a 4-under-par 66 that enabled him to become the youngest player in 50 years to make the cut in a PGA Tour event.

Fujikawa continued his magical tour of the Waialae Country Club with another 66 yesterday to find himself on the leaderboard.

"Really? Unbelievable," said the 16-year-old Moanalua High School sophomore.

Believe it.

As for Azinger, he wished no one saw him play the ninth hole yesterday.

He pushed his drive into a hazard, took a penalty drop, had a limited backswing because of a tree, got on in four and two-putted for a bogey.

"That took away all my momentum. I hadn't missed a green until that point," said Azinger, who finished with a 68 for a 202 total and a tie for sixth with Jim Furyk. They're five strokes back of leader Charles Howell III.

After playing the two par-5 holes in six under the first two rounds, Azinger played it one over yesterday when he could only par the 18th.

"That's the difference with me being in contention and leading, really. I had a chance to shoot a really good score," he said.

Winning a tournament this year is very important to him, according to Azinger.

"I think it's huge. My goal starting out the year is to win a tournament. I would like to because I would not like to not be able to come out next year. I would really like to win a tournament in order to stay exempt," he said.

"This would be a great place to do it if I can shoot a really good score (today)," said Azinger, whose last victory came in the 2000 Sony Open.

"It's hard to believe I've been playing here almost 25 years. It's just something about it (Waialae). I can be putting poorly and come here and see the line. But I have to admit I liked the course when it was par 72 instead of par 70. And I remember way back when there was no water between two and three."

With four captain's picks, playing on the tour until it's Ryder Cup time would be a good way of evaluating players, according to Azinger.

"I'm paying attention. I watched Ted Purdy today. I think that guy's an amazing player. The experiences I've had with him as a player, I can maybe have a little more confidence in him," he said.

"But I may surprise some people with my picks and not go with the obvious."

One thing's for sure, he said. He wants guys with chips on their shoulders, and those with a mindset for match play.

"There's a big difference in stroke play and match play. (Tom) Lehman made mention to me that he didn't think the guys had much of a match-play mentality," said Azinger, referring to the previous U.S. captain.

"Europe just instinctively knows how to shift gears and our guys need to have it really drummed into their heads about the difference between match play and stroke play. I'm going to try to do that."

As with the other PGA pros, Azinger is well aware of the exploits of the teen phenom getting all the attention this week.

Especially since he is just one stroke ahead of Fujikawa.

"It's not often you can say in January that the story of the year may already have been written," Azinger said.

"It might be. He could be the story of the year."