Parker McLachlin's press conference yesterday was more about playing basketball with the President-elect two weeks ago than golfing with some of the game's best players at this week's Sony Open in Hawai'i.

The Punahou graduate had a chance to play a pickup game with Barack Obama when he was here on vacation. Parker's father, Chris, was Obama's basketball coach at Punahou and arranged to have sons Spencer and Parker in the gym.

The national media heard the story when the tour came here to open its season last week in Kapalua and this week in Honolulu, and wanted to hear how Parker ended up guarding Obama in the third game. He said it was Obama's choice.

"I think he wanted to have an easy game on defense. He said he wanted to guard the golfer," said McLachlin, who didn't score and admitted "my shot went in the tank when he walked in the room."

McLachlin compared it to what it must be like to golf with Tiger Woods, the world's best golfer and someone he has never met. He added he is a bit more in awe of Woods "just because it's what I do and it's something that I aspire to be."

Besides, Obama was just one of the guys. "He was very genuine and very interested in what I was doing and everyone else that was there as well," McLachlin said. "He made a genuine effort with everyone there to really connect."

McLachlin started slow and finished fast to win $64,000 last week at the Mercedes-Benz Championship on Maui, similar to how he played last year at Sony when he tied for 10th. He hopes playing the Mercedes, where he made his debut after winning last year, helped him work out the kinks for this week, at the course he grew up on.

He is also hoping to see good things out of Honolulu teenagers Lorens Chan and Tadd Fujikawa this week, to protect the amateur exemption Hawai'i has and offer more evidence of the quality and quantity of junior golf here. McLachlin and Chan played some practice holes together yesterday and the 29-year-old had this advice.

"He's got his whole life in front of him," McLachlin said. "If he finishes 15th or 20th this week he doesn't need to make a life-altering decision. Guys on Tour have their best years historically in their mid-30's."

McLachlin was critical of Fujikawa's decision to turn pro at 16, a few months after he tied for 20th here two years ago. Now he advises Fujikawa to "make the most of your opportunities."

"Obviously he played well yesterday (Fujikawa Monday qualified for Sony)," McLachlin said, "so this week is a great opportunity for him. Play well when it counts — like Q-School."

A TADD BETTER FEELING

Two years ago Tadd Fujikawa, who turned 18 Thursday, gave a fist pump to the golf world when he became the youngest in 50 years to make a PGA Tour cut, at the Sony Open.

He turned pro a few months later and received a Sony exemption last year, but missed the cut in the midst of many cuts that started his professional career. Then he made a cut at Hawai'i's Mid-Pacific Open in April and went on to become its youngest champion, holding off 1990 Hawaiian Open champion David Ishii by seven shots.

Fujikawa also made two cuts on the Japan pro tour in May, but has missed the cut at his last four events — two in Japan and two on the European Tour. His last tournament, aside from Hawai'i's Governor's Cup, was in September.

But Monday, Fujikawa shook off the competitive rust and found some of his swing changes paying dividends. He fired a bogey-free, 5-under-par 67 at Turtle Bay's Palmer Course to win one of the four spots in Sony's Monday qualifier.

"Last year the exemption was kind of given to me and it was nice, but honestly this was way better," said Fujikawa, a senior at Moanalua High. "I earned my way in. It just feels really good. I've been working really, really hard and it's finally paying off. I'm ready to start 2009 in a good way."

Lots of things have come together for Fujikawa this week. Last week, he was featured in the premier of this week's Golf Hawai'i show with Mark Rolfing, who said Fujikawa looked a little unsure about why he was on. After the show, which repeats throughout the week on Golf Channel, Fujikawa called Rolfing and thanked him for having him, and inspiring him with memories of such good times.

Which is what Fujikawa, who is on a frantic schedule of practice and appearances this week, is trying to bring back. He is also trying to learn from last year.

"I made a few mistakes and it cost me," he said. "You learn from your mistakes and you better yourself. That's what it's about — keep on improving.

"I have a really big problem with trying really hard. I know I can do it. I know I've been practicing hard. I know I have the game to do it. I just overly try and it backfires on me. Just go out there play my game, let it happen. Play golf."

McLachlin is featured on Golf Hawai'i this week.