SAINT GEORGE, Utah — Freshman golfer Kihei Akina finished tied for third in the 2026 St. George Amateur at St. George Golf Club on Saturday.
“There are some positives and good golf to take from it,” Akina said. “No matter the course or competition, it’s always good to get repetition in contention in the middle of winter leading up to our first spring event. I feel like I am doing a lot of good in my game right now, there are just a couple of things to clean up so I can be in full form for season.”
Akina posted a 66-68–134 to give him 12-under par for the tournament. The Alpine, Utah native shared third with Michael Stirland, was a stroke behind second-place Alex Herzog and four strokes behind first-place Brock Porter.
With the exception of a triple bogey on hole 16 in round two, the freshman presented a scorecard featuring 13 birdies and an eagle throughout the 36-hole stroke play tournament. Akina impressed on the front nine both days with three birdies and an eagle on day one and five birdies on day two.
Six other Cougars played in this amateur over the weekend. Freshman Parker Bunn (69-67–136) tied for fourth at 10-under par. Bunn’s play highlighted an eagle on hole nine in both rounds. A stroke behind him and tying for sixth place was Peter Kim (68-69–137), the reigning champion of this tournament. Holes two through 11 on day two was Kim’s best stretch which included five birdies and an eagle. Simon Kwon (68-70–138) finished T-8 at 8-under par for the amateur. The senior showed a clean scorecard on the back nine by going bogey-free on Friday and Saturday. Jackson Mauss (70-69–139) shared 11th place at 7-under par. The Draper, Utah native started day two strong with a 6-under-par start and no bogeys in the first 15 holes. Angus Klintworth (74-72–146) and Kevin Wu (75-71–146) shared the 20th spot at even par on the tournament.