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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, January 18, 2009

BACKING TADD
Fujikawa shoots 73, earns $29,237 — video

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Tadd Fujikawa and caddy Shakil Ahmed looking at their notes on the 6th hole green as the gallery looks on. Fujikawa shot a 73 today to finish tied for 32nd in the Sony Open in Hawai‘i.

GREGORY YAMAMOTO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Tadd Fujikawa and caddy Shakil Ahmed looking at their notes on the 6th hole green as the gallery looks on. Fujikawa shot a 73 today to finish tied for 32nd in the Sony Open in Hawai‘i.

GREGORY YAMAMOTO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Honolulu's Tadd Fujikawa shot a 3-over-par 73 today to finish tied for 32nd at 5-under par 275 at the Sony Open in Hawai'i at Waialae Country Club. He earned $29,237.14, easily his biggest paycheck as a professional golfer.

Zach Johnson shot a 65 to win by two strokes over Adam Scott and David Toms to earn the $972,000 first prize.

Fujikawa, who started the day two strokes out of the lead, was trying to become the youngest to win a PGA Tour event.

"There wasn't any real pressure today, but the feeling was different," said Fujikawa, who played before the largest gallery of the week. "I couldn't get anything going. It just didn't happen. It was a great week and I learned a lot."

Fujikawa's biggest paycheck since turning pro in 2007 was $13,500 for winning the Mid-Pacific Open last year.

Johnson birdied the 18th hole to finish at 15-under 265. Scott shot a 64 today, while Toms a 66.

Fujikawa, the 18-year-old pro, couldn't match his sizzling start yesterday when he birdied the first three holes en route to this year's tournament-low 62. Today, he parred the first three holes, all par-4s, and found himself falling behind quickly. He missed a six-foot putt for par on the par-3 No. 4 for a bogey, and added pars on the Nos. 5 and 6, both par-4s.

On the par-3 No. 7, Fujikawa hit into the bunker off the tee and missed a six-footer for par for his second bogey of the round.

On the par-4 No. 8, he missed a seven-foot putt for birdie and sank a one-foot putt for par.

Fujikawa got his first birdie of the day on the par-5 9th hole with a three-foot putt and closed to four shots of the lead.

After a par on the par-4 No. 10, he had consecutive bogeys on the par-3 No. 11 and par-4 No. 12 and found himself 2 over and seven behind at that point.

Fujikawa parred the par-4 No. 13, but three-putted from 21 feet on the par-4 No. 14 for his fifth bogey of the day to go to 4 over.

Fujikawa got back to 3 over with a 6-footer for birdie on the par-4 No. 15. He finished with pars on his final three holes.

Fujikawa started the day at 8-under 202, tied for sixth, two shots behind third-round leader Zach Johnson.

Tournament officials said 12,900 attended the the third round with Fujikawa vaulting into contention, compared to 8,900 last year.

Johnny McDermott was 19 years and 10 months when he captured the U.S. Open in 1911.

Fujikawa finished tied for 20th two years ago and missed the cut last year in the Sony Open. This year, he had to go through qualifying rounds to get into the field.

LEADERBOARD

Sony Open in Hawai'i, Waialae Country Club, Par 35-35—70

Zach Johnson (500), $972,000 69-65-66-65—265

Adam Scott (245), $475,200 71-66-66-64—267

David Toms (245), $475,200 70-66-65-66—267

Charles Howell III (135), $259,200 67-68-67-66—268

Kevin Na (105), $205,200 72-65-66-66—269

Brian Gay (105), $205,200 66-67-68-68—269

Steve Marino (87), $174,150 68-67-70-66—271

George McNeill (87), $174,150 69-68-65-69—271

Webb Simpson (75), $145,800 66-68-70-68—272

Bill Haas (75), $145,800 68-71-65-68—272

Boo Weekley (75), $145,800 66-69-67-70—272

Also

Tadd Fujikawa (0), $29,237 71-69-62-73—275