Q&A With Tadd Fujikawa

Of all your playing partners since you've turned pro, who has given you the best advice?
All of the tour players have been really great. They've given me so much support, always encouraging me. It's nice to see, and it makes me a lot happier. Jerry Kelly has been really great. He's given me some advice. Also, Fred Funk has been nice.

Any one piece of advice that stands out?
To have fun. Not to take it as a job or a business. Go out, do your best, and if it doesn't work out, then do better next time. I think that's all you can do in anything you do. I think that's the best advice anyone has given me.

What's the favorite place that you've visited?
I really enjoyed Switzerland. It was amazing. A small town on top of a mountain. It was really nice. The people were accommodating. We didn't speak much French, German or Italian, so it was hard the first few days, but once we met the tournament director, he helped us out a lot.

How does a Hawaiian handle the weather in Switzerland?
It wasn't too bad. I've played in cold weather before, but everyone I talked to said it was going to be 60 degrees. It was nice the first few days, and then the temperature dropped to freezing cold. It was windy--it was miserable. We had to buy some clothes and get some stuff shipped to us. It's always nice to be prepared, and now I know to make sure I bring some warm stuff.

I hear you like the food in Japan.
Me being Japanese, it's my favorite food, for sure. I hadn't been to Japan for eight years or so. I ate so much and I got so fat for some reason that, by the time the tournament came, I couldn't swing. I wasn't really noticing it, but after, when I looked at pictures, I was like, "Oh my gosh, I have to go on a diet." I'm definitely going to try to cut down on the food next time I go.

As you travel around the world, do you sign a lot of autographs?
More so in the U.S. and Japan. Not so much in Europe.

Have you had any travel troubles?
So far everything has been pretty good. I think we lost a bag, but the golf clubs have always come. That's the main thing. The other things aren't that important.

Have you flown on a private jet yet?
No. I'm waiting. I've heard it's pretty cool, so maybe after I win my first, or, maybe my first 10 or 12 tournaments, then maybe we can fly private.

What's your favorite course in the world?
I really enjoyed Winged Foot. It's long and tough. The rough was long. The greens were fast. It was the U.S. Open, so that's what you expect, but it was a good experience to see how my game compares to other pros, and what level of play I need to be at. I think that experience helped me get to the next level.

Does a hard course play to your strength?
I definitely like tough courses. I'm not sure that fits my game the best, but I like them the most. I like when the winners are shooting two or three under and not 20 or 25 under. I think it really shows who the best player is, and it's a better test of golf.

How many sponsors exemptions can you accept this year?
On the PGA Tour it's seven. The Nationwide Tour is unlimited. The European tour is six. The Japan Tour is six.

How are you going about picking your spots on each tour?
I think it's a combination of a lot of things. On the PGA Tour, it's playing in whatever I can get for now. On the Japan Tour it's more scheduling. If you look at the best players in the world, they can play on any course. It doesn't matter if it's a long or short course, tough or easy, they can play it under any condition. That's what you need to do to be the best, and that's what I'm trying to learn.

Do you have any thoughts on college?
I'm not sure where or even if I'm going to go, but I think it would be good for me to experience that and see what it's like. I'd like to go for a few years and get some education. It's still a possibility.