The Michelle Buzz is gone, but at least there's still a weekend hum among the local fans in the Sony Open in Hawai'i.

Parker McLachlin, another golfer from Punahou School, shot a 5-under-par 65 for a 54-hole score of 208, putting him in a tie for 30th place with five others, including Tom Lehman, the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup captain.

Not bad for a guy who was a Monday qualifier, in a playoff yet, and who barely made the 36-hole cut.

In a relatively calm day when birdies were plentiful, McLachlin grabbed his share in his pro debut at a golf course where he once worked for $6.50 an hour.

With Michelle Wie missing the cut and studying for her exams, McLachlin became the favorite of the hometown fans and they had a lot to cheer about.

"They have noboby else to watch," said McLachlin, the only survivor of seven golfers with Hawai'i ties that started the chase for the $918,000 top prize.

"Everybody's really supportive, really enthusiastic about me doing well. Everybody's so excited for me, rooting me on. I'm enjoying it," McLachlin said.

Having made cut, McLachlin said there was less tension and he went out with the idea of being carefree and just having fun.

"It was fun making birdies today. Hopefully, more fun to make them tomorrow," said McLachlin, 26, who will play on the Nationwide Tour this year.

Scott Simpson, the 1987 U.S. Open champion turned caddie this week, thinks McLachlin will do fine today.

"I'm sure he's pretty excited for tomorrow. He'll be excited, he'll be nervous. But he's such a level-headed kid. He has a good routine. I think he's going to do fine," Simpson said.

Especially if McLachlin continues to putt as he has been doing. He had only 24 putts yesterday and has yet to three-putt.

"Putting has always been my strength," said McLachlin, who one-putted for birdies on the final three holes. He nailed a 19-footer at 16, and a 25-footer at 17.

His bunker play was particularly solid yesterday, especially on the par-3 11th when he holed out for a birdie.

"Oh, man, that was awesome. Again, being in the bunker and I knew where I needed to land it. It's fun to see those go in. That's such a boost of energy," he said.

All told he had five sand saves, two for birdies.

"I had a lot of up-and-downs from the bunkers. I told Scott I'm going to start aiming for the bunker, I was hitting so well out of the bunker," he said.

Now, he's in a good position to make a little name for himself. And doing it the hard way — by earning it.

"I wrote for a sponsor's exemption (to Sony Open officials). That didn't happen," McLachlin said. "It feels even more gratifying to earn my way out here from Monday qualifying. That's something that I'm very proud of. It makes me appreciate being out here more."