It has been nearly five years since diminutive Tadd Fujikawa seized a large moment and showed the golf world — especially here — all that is possible. He had a dream. Sony Open in Hawaii organizers shared it.

For nearly 20 years, the top 12 amateurs in the state, based on results at designated tournaments, have qualified to play against the state’s top pros in the John A. Burns Challenge Cup. Those amateurs then play for one of Sony’s four unrestricted sponsor exemptions, at PGA Tour-venue Waialae Country Club.

Fujikawa won the slot for the 2007 Sony and, four days after his 16th birthday, shot a second-round 66 to become the youngest in 50 years to make a tour cut. He ultimately finished 19th and turned back more than $52,000 to keep his amateur status. By July he was a pro. Two years later, he was leading the Sony after a third-round 62, ending up 20th.

Fujikawa is the rare amateur to make a cut, but it still doesn’t get much better than this for a Hawaii golfer. The qualifier for the 2014 Sony (Jan. 9-12) is today.

Golfers tee off at 9 a.m.

By 2 p.m., a dream will come true.

"Just to have an opportunity in Hawaii’s biggest event, to do that … I’m speechless," says Todd Rego who, at 31, was the oldest on last week’s Burns Cup amateur team. "This year I went to my first big tournament, the U.S. Mid-Amateur. It was a real eye-opener. I actually played with a guy who played in The Masters. Just playing with people like that is incomparable. Playing with PGA guys is something beyond."

When Parker McLachlin made his tour debut at the 2000 Sony Open, it was thanks to the Governor’s Cup qualifier. He called it "huge … you couldn’t put a price tag on it."

Which is why it is so valuable here. The tour would like that exempt spot back, but so far Sony organizers and Jim Burns —the late John Burns’ son — have kept it safe. It is one of the greatest incentives and promotions in Hawaii golf, and it draws crowds. Fujikawa had people hanging out of trees to watch him.

Some of those fans will be on the first tee today.

"It would be awesome," says Kamehameha senior Donny Hopoi. "I’m just so happy we get the spot. I started golfing at 2 and started following the Sony at 3 or 4. Growing up golfing with all these guys … we’d like to go there and match our game and see where we’re at and where we need to get to."

Among those who agree are Richard Hattori, John Oda, David Saka, TJ Kua, Lorens Chan and Alex Ching — all the amateurs who came after Fujikawa. And probably all who will come in the future.

"It’s a great honor," says Tyler Ota, who tees off in the last group today with 15-year-old Kyle Suppa and Manoa Cup champ Jared Sawata. "For them to hold an amateur spot in the Sony Open and there’s only 12 guys …one in 12 is pretty good odds. It’s a lot of pressure out there. You’ve only got 18 holes, every shot counts and it’s at Waialae, so it’s not an easy course.

"It would mean everything to play (Sony). I would be in awe. That would just be awesome."