Defending Sony Open in Hawai'i champion David Toms was waiting to tee off on the 17th hole yesterday when his playing partner, Harrison Frazar, urgently motioned for him to turn around and take a look at the spectacle unfolding behind them.

There, on the abutting 16th green, Tadd Fujikawa was lining up for a putt with what seemed like half of Honolulu cheering him on.

All across Waialae Country Club — and many time zones beyond — the 16-year-old Moanalua High sophomore has captured hearts in the way and numbers of few, if any, who have played this event.

And the bandwagon is filling fast as Fujikawa, the youngest player to make a PGA Tour cut in 50 years, heads into today's final round tied for eighth at 7-under par and six strokes off the lead of Charles Howell III.

Michelle Wie opened wide our imaginations and enticed us to dream along with her during a near-miss of the cut and flirtation with history in 2004. She amazes us with her potential and daring.

But while much of Hawai'i roots for her and waits to celebrate her breakthroughs, it has even more warmly embraced Fujikawa, the ebullient, 5-foot-1 phenom. And, why not, since his is a beyond-remarkable story? An evolving, pinch-me fairy tale in cleats welcoming all to share in.

But, in many ways, he also speaks to much of the character of his home state. Or, at least a large part of how we picture ourselves. For Fujikawa is, in many ways, the anti-Wie. All the while being himself.

He is the scrappy underdog in a state that relishes them. She has long since become the favorite of whom so much is expected and demanded.

She is known far and wide simply as Michelle. His name was mis-announced here ("Todd") and the initial starting time list had him down as being from "Tokyo, Japan."

She is a conglomerate, he is the guy from down the street.

She is tall and blessed with fashion model-like stature. He is squatty and not much different than a dozen guys you'd find at the driving range any Saturday.

She is private school educated. He's a public school kid. She was in the Sony on another sponsor's exemption, backed by the governor. He got in the gates by qualifying. She is an honorary member of Waialae Country Club. He is visiting.

She has a swing guru, a performance psychologist, a nutritionist, trainer and public relations firm. She has her people walking the course with her, huddling afterward.

He had cousins at every hole, it sometimes seemed, uncles and aunties at the turns.

When Fujikawa steps off the course after a round, nobody from a high-powered Hollywood talent agency is there with a towel to painstaking dab the sweat off his nose before he goes on camera. Nobody whispers into his ear what the spin for the day should be.

She has the multi-million dollar endorsement contracts. He has that happy-to-meet-you grin and ready handshake.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.