3 from Hawaii advance at national tournaments
Kelli Oride, a Kauai High senior headed for Notre Dame in 2011, was the only Hawaii golfer to advance to match play at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship yesterday, but both Justin Keiley and Aaron Kunitomo moved on at the U.S. Junior Amateur.
Keiley, from Haiku, fired an even-par 72 for a 147 total at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Mich. He tied for 44th and plays South Carolina’s Stephen Behr today in the first round.
The medalist was Florida’s Curtis Thompson, at 66–134. He beat defending champion Jordan Spieth and Gavin Hall by one. Hall, 15, shot a tournament-record 62.
Kunitomo made the cut on the number, shooting 75–149. He survived an 11-way playoff for seven spots to move to match play, where he faces Canada’s Wilson Bateman this morning.
Oride shot 7-over-par 79 in the second round at The Country Club of North Carolina, in the Village of Pinehurst. She tied for 25th, at 153, and easily advanced to today’s match play.
The medalist was Danielle Kang of California, who shot 74–141. Kang was last year U.S. Women’s Amateur medalist. Only three golfers broke par.
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The other five Hawaii golfers failed to finish in the top 64. Allisen Corpuz, the youngest competitor at 12, shot 78, and Moanalua sophomore Eimi Koga 81. They tied for 77th at 159 — two shots off the cutline.
Cyd Okino (79–162), Marissa Chow (84–162) and Kacie Komoto (80–163) also failed to move on.
Oride plays Collins Bradshaw, from South Carolina, in this morning’s first round.