BYU takes fourth place at The Wohali

COALVILLE, Utah – BYU men’s golf (277-294-276–847) finished fourth at The Wohali after shooting 8-under par in the final round on Tuesday. 

Arizona State (273-296-269–838) and New Mexico (278-288-272–838) were declared co-champions of the event after carding 14-under par 54-hole totals. Utah (278-287-274–839) secured the third spot with a 13-under total, followed by the Cougars who finished fourth at 5-under. Kansas State (281-300-284) rounded out the top five with a 13-over par total. 

“Wohali is an incredible course with really challenging terrain,” said director of golf Todd Miller. “If you’re hitting the ball well, your shots funnel close to the hole. If you’re slightly off, as you can see by the disparity in team scores, you can make some big numbers.”

BYU led the field in total birdies with 61, including 24 on Tuesday, the most on the day. 

“I like the energy and the confidence of our team this year,” said Miller, “We didn’t have a great event, but we were solid, especially with three freshmen in the lineup.”

Senior Simon Kwon (68-74-65–207) took home the third top-five finish of his BYU career. After shooting a six-under 65 and recording eight birdies on Tuesday, Kwon carded his lowest 18-hole total score while at BYU. The Cal transfer led the field in birdies made with 18 and tied for the best par-3 scoring average (2.92). The senior also carded the fewest number of bogeys at the 7,823-yard course with four. 

“I drove the ball really well today and made some good putts,” said Kwon. “I didn’t let bogeys or bad shots influence me. Every time I bogeyed today, I bounced back with a birdie.”

“Simon was exceptional this week,” said Miller. "His distance control and direction with irons gave him a lot of birdie putts. It was fun watching him roll the ball so well and start the year with a top-five finish.”

In his collegiate debut, freshman Kihei Akina (70-74-67–211) closed out the final round with a 4-under 67 with seven birdies on the day. The Lone Peak product posted a 2-under par total en route to a tie for 10th. In spite of a double bogey on hole three and a bogey on hole five to start the day, Akina went on to birdie seven of his last 13 holes while not carding a bogey during that stretch.  

“I hit some great approach shots and did a good job of managing distances with winds and firm and fast conditions,” said Akina. “Sticking to my process and what I’m used to. I always try to finish strong, and in college, that is important in order to put out a good score for the team.”

“Kihei had a solid start in his first collegiate event,” said Miller. “I know he is not satisfied with his finish, but I was really impressed by how confident and calm he is even when things aren’t going his way.”

Junior Peter Kim (70-72-71–213) was the third Cougar to place inside the top 15 by carding an even-par score for the event on his way to a tie for 14th. Kim shot even par in the final round with three birdies, a bogey and a double bogey. Kim now has 10 events where he has finished inside the top 15. 

Alongside Akina, freshmen Jackson Mauss (69-79-73–221) and Parker Bunn (73-74-76–223)competed in their first-ever collegiate event. Mauss made five bogeys but countered with three birdies in the final round to finish in a tie for 34th at 8-over par. Bunn shot 5-over on Tuesday and contributed three birdies. 

BYU will head to Bremerton, Washington, to play in The Tindal on Sept. 22-23 at Gold Mountain Golf Club.