Tribune-Herald Hawaii senior T.J. Kua, a product of Kamehameha-Maui, was just as good as UCLA’s Patrick Cantlay — the No. 1 golfer in the world amateur rankings — in the first round of the Ameri Ari Invitational on a calm,
Tribune-Herald
Hawaii senior T.J. Kua, a product of Kamehameha-Maui, was just as good as UCLA’s Patrick Cantlay — the No. 1 golfer in the world amateur rankings — in the first round of the Ameri Ari Invitational on a calm, defenseless Wednesday at the Waikoloa Kings’ Course.
Both fired a 2-under 70, four shots behind a trio of golfers: Washington’s Cheng-Tsung Pan, UCLA’s Pontus Widegren and Stanford’s Patrick Grimes, who all logged 66s.
Hawaii sophomore Nainoa Calip, a 2010 Kamehameha-Hawaii graduate, is not too far behind his teammate. Calip carded a 1-over 73, along with UH-Hilo’s Chris Shimomura and a logjam of seven others.
A whopping 52 players shot under par, none from UHH, the host school, which sits next to last in the team standings. No. 1 Texas, with an 18-under 270, is five shots ahead of UCLA.
Blake Snyder had UHH’s best score with a par 72. He was surrounded by teammates Travis Russell (74), Corey Kozuma (74), Dalen Yamauchi (74), Jamie Hall (75) and Blaine Fujimoto (75).
Unfortunately for the Vulcans, Kozuma, Yamauchi and Fujimoto played as individuals. Their scores didn’t count in UHH’s team standings. Besides Snyder, Shimomura, Russell and Hall, the other starter was Nick Matsushima (81).
“It was a good learning experience,” UHH coach Earl Tamiya said. “It should be a home-course advantage, but I think we were in awe and intimidated a little by playing such a good field.
“We just have to get the boys to relax, settle down and play their game.”
At least, Hall is getting a good look at top-caliber players. He played in the foursome with Cantlay on Wednesday. The UHH freshman, who won two of four tourneys last semester, will be in a group today with UCLA’s Jordan Spieth, the No. 2 amateur in the world, who posted a 3-under 69.
The 20-team tournament continues through Friday.
