Fujikawa, 16, announces decision to turn professional

HONOLULU -- Another teenager from Hawaii is turning pro.

Tadd Fujikawa, the 16-year-old who became the youngest player in more than 50 years to make the cut on the PGA Tour, said Thursday he was giving up his amateur status and would make his pro debut in three weeks at the Reno-Tahoe Open.

"I'm really ready for this," he said. "It's something that I want to do."

Fujikawa made his announcement at a news conference at the Waialae Country Club, where in January the 5-foot-1 Fujikawa sent the gallery into a frenzy with an eagle on the 18th hole for a 66 that allowed him to make the cut at the Sony Open.

He stole the attention from Michelle Wie, the most popular golfer in Hawaii who turned pro at age 15. Wie, who just graduated from high school, has spiraled into a miserable slump and has not broken par on any tour in nearly a year.

Wie's splashy news conference two years ago was very different from Fujikawa's low-key announcement, which had more friends and family members in attendance than media. Wie had signed multimillion deals with Nike and Sony. Fujikawa is still working on his first contract.

Fujikawa, who just finished his sophomore year at Moanalua High School, said he still plans to finish high school and attend college.

He first drew attention in 2006 when he qualified for the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. But it was his experience at the Sony that pushed him to turn pro.

"It showed me I can compete with the best players in the world and I can handle myself in front of the cameras. But sometimes I get a little nervous," he said.

-- AP