If the USGA Development Team coaches need a poster boy for the success of their new program, they should take a good look at BYU’s incoming freshman Kihei Akina.
Fresh off competing at the U.S. Amateur, Akina has brought that confidence with him to Riverside Country Club. Back-to-back rounds of 66-65 have him sitting atop the Larry H. Miller Utah Open leaderboard at 13-under 131, one shot clear of former Cougar and 2013 Utah State Amateur champion Cole Ogden as the morning wave wrapped up Saturday.
“The Development Program has really helped me,” Akina said. “They’ve taught me how to track my stats and see areas of improvement. I’ve really have never done that before. It’s cool to see the stats, and kind of just learn from that and see what you’re doing well. It’s helped me a lot in learning where I can get better.”
Akina credited his wedge play and iron game for keeping him in scoring position. He even gave his grandparents a show early in today’s round, holing out from 60 yards for eagle on the par-4 second hole.
“My wedges are all about controlling distances and being pin high,” he said. “One way to be great at golf is to be pin high all the time.”
While his summer has been a mix of highs and lows, Akina says he’s feeling good as he looks ahead to Sunday’s final round. “I’m comfortable with my game now. I just want to stay loose, have fun, and stick to my process.”
The field will be cut to the low 60 and ties following the afternoon wave to set the stage for Sunday’s finish in Provo.
Click here for Larry H. Miller round 2 leaderboard.
Morning Wave Report and photography by Fairways Media/Randy Dodson & Garrit Johnson.