Fairway Files, by Will Weiss

The headline has two meanings: 1) “Lost,” the cult hit, is filmed in Hawai’i; and 2) As I mentioned last week, the beginning of the PGA Tour season in Hawai’i is nothing more than an afterthought. That’ll likely be the case until Tiger Woods returns, or The Masters, whichever comes first.

Speaking of Tiger, the planet’s most well-known athlete delivered a speech today at President-Elect Barack Obama’s “We Are One” celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Last week, ESPN.com’s Jason Sobel, noting Tiger’s apolitical nature, called the speech potential turning point in Tiger’s career. The speech was broadcast on HBO and the full text of it is available on Tiger’s official web site.



His message was to support the military – a worthy cause, to be sure, and a personal one for Tiger, whose father Earl was a Vietnam veteran. Those who have criticized him for his reluctance to speak out on social or political issues will likely be disappointed that he didn’t do more on the occasion to live up to the words of his father, who years ago told Sports Illustrated that Tiger would “do more than any other man in history to change the course of humanity.” 

I think we should give Tiger the benefit of the doubt here, particularly since this is his first public political forum, and we should not be comparing him to Muhammad Ali in the athlete/statesman/ambassador category. The most fundamental thing we’re taught in public speaking situations is to speak from a position of knowledge on the subject matter. Tiger did that, and he should not be faulted for it.

On to Oahu…

I was unable to get my Sony Open predictions in before Thursday’s first round. With Waialae being a shorter course by PGA TOUR standards (7,060 yards), I focused on players who were more known for accuracy and putting as opposed to power. Looking at the field, I highlighted two names: Zach Johnson and David Toms, because their games fit the demands of the course.



Sure I look like a genius now, since Johnson and Toms dueled in the final group on Sunday until Johnson emerged with a two-shot victory. I’ll concede that. Johnson came out of the pack, shooting 66-65 on the weekend to secure his fifth TOUR win. In the final round, he holed nearly 120 feet worth of putts, including a couple of big par savers on the front nine that kept him in the lead and gave him momentum.

The first two weeks of the season have yielded some excellent front-running performances. That the Hawaiian portion of the TOUR featured champions who have previously won majors shows that the best players in the field rise to the top. Adam Scott, who’s still battling back from the wrist injury that hampered him for the second half of last year, tied for second.

A TADD BIT OFF



Five-foot-1 powerhouse and Honolulu native Tadd Fujikawa electrified the crowd with an 8-under 62 on Saturday that pulled him within two shots of the lead. His 3-over 73 Sunday left him tied for 32nd, with a paycheck of $29,237. I thought the dramatic opening of The Golf Channel’s telecast touting the potential for Fujikawa’s being the youngest PGA TOUR winner was understandable, but a bit much.

HOWELL ABOUT THAT



Much has been written about players switching equipment companies. (David Toms, in an interview with TGC’s Rich Lerner on Saturday, discussed his return to Cleveland. ) Charles Howell III, who had played Callaway for years, is now a Taylor Made / Adidas man for equipment, and is playing a Bridgestone ball. He’s also put on 18 pounds of muscle and looked unrecognizable. With the new gear and physique, he finished fourth, but could have been in a three-way tie for second if not for a three-putt on the final green.

NEXT WEEK … The players return to the mainland for the five-round birdie extravaganza known as the Bob Hope Classic. Arnold Palmer has taken up hosting duties this year for the 50th anniversary of the tournament. On the surface, this seems like a great PR move. That is, until you read David Feherty's column about George Lopez’s unceremonious dismissal as tournament host.

I’d be watching anyway, but I’m curious to see if The Golf Channel’s announcing crew delves into the issue.