16-year-old Tadd Fujikawa joins the professional ranks  

Last week’s big announcement by 16-year-old Tadd Fujikawa to turn professional immediately raised eyebrows around the golf world. Is this another case too much, too soon? (See, for instance, Ty Tryon) Can Fujikawa expect to find any kind of success at such an impressionable age? How would “success” be defined his case?

The name Tadd Fujikawa, you might recall, first made a few ripples when he became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Open in 2006. He shot 81-77 to finish in 140^th place. 

But it was last January at the Sony Open in Hawaii when he seemed to truly arrive—or at least, have his first brush with success while playing alongside the big boys. (That’s not meant to be a knock on his stature, but he is five-foot-one, after all.) Making just his second PGA tour start, Fujikawa roared to the top of many headlines and became a fan favorite when he shot a pair of 66s in the second and third rounds of the Sony Open, becoming the second-youngest player to make a PGA tour cut in the process. Tied for eighth entering play on Sunday, Fujikawa, with galleries swarming, fired a gritty 2-over 72 to finish tied for 20^th. 

Parker McLachlin, a first-year PGA pro who grew up in Hawaii, was asked by the Golf Channel about Fujikawa’s decision last weekend at the John Deere Classic and said:  "I thought, 'Why?' The things Michelle (Wie) has been going through should speak loud and clear. I'm 28 and in my first year on the PGA Tour. I know I have my entire life in front of me. I don't wish I'd started pursuing this 12 years ago.”

The comments were surprisingly candid, (later in the interview, McLachlin wished Fujikawa the best and said that “everyone is rooting for him.”) and effectively summed up what many were already thinking. Fujikawa’s family, of course, is supportive of Tadd’s decision. There is hope that Tadd can still take enough classes online to graduate with his high school class.

For now, the question Tadd Fujikawa must answer: How do have a successful career, and prove the doubters wrong?

He’ll get his chance soon. His first event will be the Reno-Tahoe Open, held Aug. 2 to 5. After that, Fujikawa’s attorney-agent, Kevin Bell, said the plan is for Tadd to play more PGA events through sponsor exemptions, while additionally competing on the Nationwide Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO).