Isaiah Kanno and Isaac Jaffurs each lost by a hole Wednesday as the last two remaining golfers with Big Island ties at the Manoa Cup were eliminated in the round of 32.
Hilo’s Kanno birdied the first hole at Oahu Country Club to grab an early lead against Peter Jung at the state match play championship, but Kanno’s first bogey, on No. 4, evened things up and he fell behind for good when Jung birdied the next hole.
Jaffurs, a former UHH golfer and the 2014 runner at Hawaii’s oldest tournament, tried to make a late charge against Andy Okita with birdies on Nos. 15 and 17, but each made bogey on the par-4 18th, giving Okita the 1-up win.
Kanno was in a similar situation, trimming two holes off his deficit on 16 and 17, but looking to extend the match he and Jung each bogeyed 18.
Kanno still has plenty of golf left ahead of him this summer before he begins his senior year at Waiakea.
Next week, he’ll defend his Hawaii State Junior Golf Association title at Hokulia, and he also has a spot at the Boys Junior PGA Championship, July 30-Aug. 2 in Hartford, Conn.
Two weeks ago at Waikoloa Kings’ Course, Kanno carded a 69 and a 71 to take medalist honors in a qualifier that was held in conjunction with the junior worlds qualifier.
In the girls Junior PGA qualifier, Waiakea junior Lacey Uchida qualified first after a 3-under 141, while Kailua-Kona’s Yoonjeong Huh also secured a spot in second at 1-under.
The girls championship is July 9-12 in Hartford.
• On Wednesday, Huh shot a 72 at the AJGA Kansas Junior to take a two-stroke lead to the final round.
• Also Wednesday, Keaau’s Kaha’iolelo Helm closed with a 77 and finished second at the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association championships for ages 12 and under.
Teeing off at Hawaii Prince Golf Course on Oahu, Helm was 16-over in the boys 7-10 flight.
