Join us as we take a tour on the PGA Tour with Parker McLachlin, a former Punahou athlete. McLachlin earned his PGA Tour card for this season. He joins Castle alum Dean Wilson as the only Hawai'i golfers on the PGA Tour. McLachlin, Waikoloa's touring pro, will write his impressions on events that he's just completed and tournaments that are upcoming on his calendar.

Aloha from San Antonio, home of the Valero Texas Open.

San Antonio is a pretty nice city. It feels like I'm close to the water, because we're down near Mexico. The terrain, the trees, and the weather all make me feel like I'm close to an ocean and close to home.

My mentality with five tournaments left on the PGA Tour season is to play real well over the next three weeks and not have to go to Florida for the final two tournaments. Over the next three weeks I'll play here, at the tournament in Las Vegas, and the tournament in Scottsdale, Ariz. I want to end my year in Scottsdale well within the top 125 on the money list.

The course here suits my eye. It's a good golf course with a variety of holes. Out here there are some really short par 3s, some really long par 3s, and some par 4s that have been converted from par 5s. So this is certainly a course that will challenge every part of your game.

It's really nice to be back on Bermuda grass. I know that sounds funny, but playing on Bermuda grass comes natural to me. It's like playing at home. It's a huge difference playing Bermuda grass (which is what the Sony Open is played on) and playing golf courses that use other grass. There are actually guys out here on the PGA Tour that don't like Bermuda grass and won't play any tournaments that have it.

When I get to a tournament, it's really important for me to figure out what kind of grass is growing around the greens. Then I can get the speed and figure the best way to chip around the greens. Usually, in every other grass other than Bermuda, there is really thick grass around the green. With Bermuda grass it's different. It really tests you to determine what kind of a lie your ball is in, and then how the ball is going to react after you hit it. Much of Monday through Wednesday is spent around the green using different clubs and finding different shots.

Last week, I played some practice rounds again with Vaughn Taylor and Chad Campbell, and Chad ended up winning the tournament. Earlier this year, I played with Vaughn and Chad (both Ryder Cup players from last year) and to play with them again was another great experience. It's kind of fun to go toe to toe with the guy that ends up winning the golf tournament.

I'm looking forward to checking in with you all next week from Las Vegas!

Parker McLachlin can be reached at www.parkermclachlin.com.