Asking for an encore to Tadd Fujikawa's phenomenal 2007 Sony Open in Hawai'i might be a bunch to ask, but after yesterday's King Auto Group Pro-Junior Skills Challenge it is pretty clear his peers were watching.

A year ago they saw the 5-foot-1 Moanalua junior become the second-youngest to make a PGA Tour cut in 50 years, and eventually earn a share of 20th. But what they remember was Fujikawa's most devastating and memorable weapon — his huge smile and genuine joy at playing the game of golf.

Cassy Isagawa clearly caught the wave. So did Alex Ching, TJ Kua, Bradley Shigezawa and, especially, Kristina Merkle. But it was Isagawa, tellingly the youngest player in yesterday's exhibition at Waialae Country Club, who beamed through introductions then dropped a flawless flop shot in the opening minutes that ultimately won it for she and pro Jerry Kelly.

"No doubt her first shot was the difference," said Kelly, who won the 2002 Sony Open. "I put the ball up there somewhere close, but I think she got each of them (the closest shots). Absolutely her shots won it for us. It was really cool."

Isagawa, a Baldwin freshman, and Kelly won with 25 points. They earned 10 by winning the Trick Shot segment when she hit the ball over a board and a bunker, along the edge of the hole and to 2 feet, 7 inches from the 18th hole.

They shared second with Kua and Castle graduate Dean Wilson in the Bunker Shot portion, hitting it to just under seven feet. Jim Furyk and Merkle won that, when he hit it 3 feet, 6 inches.

This was after the kids in the bleachers were asked if they remembered seeing Fujikawa on the 18th hole a year ago, when the Sony crowds warmly embraced him and his performance encouraged him to turn pro at 16. Furyk, who played the final round with Fujikawa, instantly raised his hand.

He and Merkle would come in third, behind Kua's and Wilson's 19 points. Wilson was also second last year, to Michelle Wie and Ching, who will tee off in the first round at Waialae tomorrow at 8:50 a.m., just in front of Fujikawa. The Punahou senior, who won the Optimist International and OCC Invitational last year — and has captured the last two state high school doubles championships in tennis — will be attempting to emulate Fujikawa's performance as the only amateur in the PGA Tour's first full-field event of the year.

The amiable Ching might also try to emulate his personality. Isagawa was yesterday.

"Of course I remember when Tadd's fist went up here last year," she said, standing on the 18th green. "But what I really remember is he just had fun out there. As long as you're having fun, that's the most important thing."

"Hard work gets you places," Kelly added, "but if you don't have fun while you're working, you're not going to make it."

Kelly has played in five of the six Pro-Juniors. The exhibition returned last year after a layoff because King Auto Group's Charlie King believed the event spiked interest in junior programs. His wife, Mary Bea Porter-King, is president of the Hawai'i State Junior Golf Association, which was given the entire $20,000 purse yesterday when all five pros donated their share. All five juniors and Fujikawa are members.

Fujikawa and Ching finished fourth with 16 points, despite winning the final putting segment. Bradley Shigezawa and Steve Stricker were fifth with 12 points. Shigezawa, who turns 16 today, was edged out by Wilson for the Hawai'i State Open title in November.

Fujikawa turned 17 yesterday, and debuted a left-hand-low putting style. He changed to the unorthodox grip last week to help "accelerate through the putt."

I had trouble controlling the speed and this seems to have more control," said Fujikawa, who also has a brand new bag full of clubs since last year. "It's the first time in a tournament. We'll see."

NOTEBOOK

The Trick Shot skill yesterday was sponsored by Griffing Swan & Lai, and the Bunker Shot by Kraft Foods Hawai'i, which recently signed Tadd Fujikawa to his second endorsement deal. The sponsorship will include several personal appearances, including golf clinics and autograph sessions, according to Kraft Customer Business Manager Gerald Shintaku, who has a 9-year-old son.

"We liked his love of life, love of the game and enthusiasm toward the game," said Shintaku. "We want to help support his mission to get to the next level.

"When you see him on TV you get certain impressions of him. When I got a chance to meet with him it just underscored in bold what we saw on TV. He's a real special guy. We want to be part of that, absolutely."

Fujikawa and Dean Wilson are playing in today's Sony Open in Hawai'i Pro-Am, which tees off at 6:50 a.m. Fujikawa goes out at 12:42 p.m. and Wilson is three groups later, at 1:09 p.m. — just ahead of defending champion Paul Goydos. All three start on the 10th tee. Former University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones was going to play in the Pro-Am, but dropped out. Fujikawa played in Monday's Sony Dream Cup Pro-Am with actor Kevin James.

Hawai'i's Parker McLachlin is part of a new Citigroup marketing campaign, along with Q-School graduates Todd Demsey, David Lutterus and Jin Park. The four young golfers will be "mentored" by Paul Azinger, this year's Ryder Cup captain, and featured as part of television, print and online ads. McLachlin's other sponsors are Waikoloa Beach & Golf Club and Titleist.

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com.