Parker McLachlin knew a two-putt birdie from 12 feet at the final hole meant making the cut in the Sony Open in Hawai'i.

It was decision time, after all, it was a shot at an eagle and he was tempted.

"I was wanting to throw my hands up like Tadd to make that eagle," said McLachlin, referring to Fujikawa's eagle under similar circumstances last year.

"I was trying hard but I knew that I needed to two-putt to make the cut," said the 28-year-old Punahou School alum starting his second year on the PGA Tour. "I tried to make it. But you don't want to three-putt and miss the cut by a shot."

It turned out to be exactly the one stroke that counted as McLachlin posted a 4-under 66 for a 36-hole score of 139 joining 67 others chasing K.J. Choi, who holds a two-shot lead over Kevin Na going into today's third round at the Waialae Country Club.

The key to his round yesterday was putting it in the fairway, according to Parker.

"I just hit it great off the tee."

And he finished off his drives at the 10th and 12th holes by stiffing his second shot to 24 inches and 2 1/2 feet, respectively, for birdies. "They were in there, close to kick-ins. Those are the best kind, you don't have to think about them."

That gave McLachlin four birdies over a six-hole stretch as he played his final 12 holes in 5-under with that closing birdie that got him in.

"What a great boost to finally make the cut as a tour member in front of the home fans. It'll be nice to play the weekend," McLachlin said.