Parker McLachlin, Hawai'i's newest addition to the PGA Tour, has received a sponsor's exemption to next month's $5.2 million Sony Open in Hawai'i, Sony and Friends of Hawai'i Charities officials announced yesterday.

McLachlin, who earned a 2007 PGA Tour card after finishing in a tie for 16th at this year's qualifying school, joins tour member Dean Wilson and Michelle Wie, who also got an exemption, in the 144-player field Jan. 11 to 14 at the Waialae Country Club.

"Parker has been a high priority for the limited exemptions we can extend for the Sony Open next month," said Tony Guerrero, president of the Friends of Hawai'i Charities.

"We wanted to guarantee that Parker would play. Obviously, it will be a great pleasure for us to have him in the Sony Open field. We are extremely happy that Parker will be joining our other keiki o ka 'aina, Dean Wilson, Michelle Wie and Kevin Hayashi, in this PGA Tour kickoff of the 2007 season, creating another milestone in Hawai'i golf."

"I really appreciate Sony for supporting me at a time when I need it the most, just starting out," McLachlin said in a telephone interview from his home in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"Playing in my first tournament at home the first year I get a tour card ... it's something I'll never forget. I know I'm playing this golf tournament for the rest of my life. I'll never skip this. I'm totally grateful," said the former Punahou School and UCLA golfer.

McLachlin played in last January's Sony Open as a Monday qualifier and made the cut. He also made the cut in the only other PGA Tour event he played in this year, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He spent the rest of 2006 on the Nationwide Tour, finishing 29th on the money list with $176,882.

David Toms will be back to defend his title in the PGA Tour's first full-field event in 2007. Sony's commitment to the tournament has been extended through 2010.