Tadd Fujikawa Storms Sony Open

Posted by Alan L. Hammond Jan 15, 2007

In a professional golf tournament, when an amateur plays well, makes the cut and finishes well, it's a refreshing and welcome site. It would have been better if Tadd Fujikawa had won the Sony Open on Sunday, as it seemed he might for most of the weekend, but not by much.

It was moving to see the elation of young Tadd at his weekend performance and his reaction to the throngs of other youngsters and adults cheering in support. He seemed excited just to be there playing against the best in the world, thrilled to have made the cut and to have finished so well.

Fujikawa, previously unknown outside his home state, does not have a stellar junior record and was not previously known as a phenom, as was Tiger Woods. That may change now. Most golfers, if they are honest with themselves, know that at age 16, they could not have steadied a club in their hands if given the chance to play in a pro tournament. Fujikawa shot two rounds of 66. Simply amazing.

Best of all, after making the cut, he revealed to The Golf Channel his wish that everyone could feel the way he did then at some point in their life. If we could only hold onto such selflessness in adulthood.