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.

It's great to be reporting to you from my real home as I'm back in Hawai'i for the first time since I participated in the Sony Open.

Last week I tied for 34th at the Wachovia Championship in North Carolina and returned home this week to get a little rest and relaxation before heading back to the East Coast and the AT&T Classic next week in Atlanta.

The crowds in North Carolina were outstanding. They had really big galleries that lined each side of the fairways and I received an ovation as I walked to every tee box and to every green. It was an experience that felt very similar to the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The people of North Carolina appreciate their golf and it was a fun week to be inside the ropes giving them something to cheer about.

The golf course was one of the best I've played on the PGA Tour. In only its fifth year, the Wachovia sure has catapulted itself into elite status. Quail Hollow Country Club is a big reason for that early success and it's evident by the great field it's a favorite for us players

Many of you may have seen me last week on the CBS golf coverage and wondered exactly what I was doing playing the last hole without my shoes.

Well here is the story, my playing partner Bubba Watson dropped out due to injury on the third hole so I played most of the entire final round by myself.

By the time I got to the 18th hole, it had taken me 4 hours, 45 minutes and it was difficult all day to get into any sort of a rhythm because I was waiting on every shot. After hitting my ball into the creek that runs along the left side of the green, I decided to play my ball out of the water and took off my shoes.

Since I had to catch a flight back to Phoenix that night, I figured I'd save some time by not putting my shoes back on.

I grew up in Hawai'i practicing barefoot anyway, so I figured why not? Little did I know that it turned out to bring a lot of exposure for me and maybe even gave America a glimpse into my roots.

Having been out on the PGA Tour for half a season now, I've found that I'm not quite as awestruck as before. I've played in the same events as guys like Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, and Vijay Singh, and having some success has really boosted my confidence and I look for that to continue.

Since it's halfway through the season and I'm back in Hawai'i, I figured I'd answer a lot of questions that fans seem to ask:

My favorite hotel on the road: The Houstonian (Shell Houston Open).

Favorite course on PGA Tour so far: Quail Hollow (Wachovia Championship). It made you think all the way around the course. The greens were so fast and true.

Favorite hole on the PGA Tour so far: The 16th at the FBR Open. The par 3 with 100,000 fans. Fans either want a great shot, or one where they can boo you. Either way, they are happy to be there. I hit a shot to 6 feet and the place went nuts. Then I missed the putt and everyone booed me. It was amazing.

Most memorable shot: An ace in the first round (third hole) on the South Course of the Buick Invitational (my 12th hole of the day). It was really the shot that started my year.

I had missed the cut at Sony and I was playing on the South Course and through 11 holes I wasn't really making the most out of my game. I got to the hole at 1-over par and was getting the feeling that the field was going to leave me behind. Then, to make an ace and go from 1-over to 1-under turned my entire round into really great score. The next day I shot 5-under and finished in the top 25 that week. I think that shot really jump-started my entire season.

Shot I would like to have back: Hitting my second shot into the water hazard on the 72nd hole last week was tough, but I wish I had that next chip back, because I would have selected a different club and hit it closer to the pin.

Best food: New Orleans (Zurich Classic of New Orleans). The charbroiled oysters were great.

Favorite playing partner: Will McKenzie. There is never a dull moment with that guy. We played a couple practice rounds together in Phoenix last week. He's just a very happy-go-lucky guy with a laid-back, Hawaiian style that I like.

Hardest hole: No. 10 at the Honda Classic. It's a 500-yard par 4 that is converted from a par 5. If you miss the fairway at all you've got a 90- to 100-yard third shot into the green. I think I got up and down the first day, and the second day I made bogey. I started on the 10th one day, and it's really tough to start any day on a 500-yard par 4.

Favorite sightseeing place: A tie between Mexico (Mayakoba Golf Classic), and New Orleans (Zurich). Both very unique places.