CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Kihei Akina (67-71-64–202) had the lowest 54-hole score of his career with 14-under par to win the R.E. Lamkin Invitational at San Diego Country Club Tuesday.
BYU men’s golf (280-289-282–851) had its lowest round score with a 10-under-par round three on its way to a third-place finish at 17-under par.
“Really quite amazing what Kihei accomplished the last six days,” head coach Bruce Brockbank said. “It’s so impressive how he played at the Lamkin. He had so many highlights this week.”
San Diego (283-274-281–838) captured the team victory at 26-under par, with three players finishing inside the top-10. Long Beach State (273-290-277–840) took the runner-up spot at 24-under par. The Cougars were trailed by Saint Mary’s (282-286-282–850) in fourth at 14-under par and San Diego State (279-286-286–851) in fifth at 13-under par to cap off the top-5.
Akina started out the day five strokes back from the lead before making six birdies, an eagle and no bogeys in the final round to claim the victory. The preseason All-American beat out his previous best round by three strokes to give himself the lowest-scoring tournament of his career and his first individual win. This was accomplished four days after making his first PGA Tour cut at the Puerto Rico Open.
“I didn’t feel tired at all today,” Akina said. “I felt great coming into today and knew I had to go low. I know everyone on this team has really high potential so I’m looking forward to playing our best golf as we get late in the season.”
Simon Kwon (68-72-68–208) secured a share of fourth at 8-under par with his second 4-under par round of the tournament on the day. The senior has placed inside the top-5 for the 6th time in his BYU career.
Peter Kim (72-71-73–216) recorded 1-over par in the final round to notch his 17th career top-25 finish. Kim tied for 22nd at even par for the event.
Jackson Mauss (75-75-72–222) ended up tied for 59th at 7-over par. Tyson Shelley (73-77-76–226) carded a 10-over par to be tied for 66th.
Parker Bunn (71-69-75–215) posted his personal best of 1-under par and a T-18 finish as an individual. The other individual competitor Angus Klintworth (78-73-72–223) tied for 59th at 7-over par.
BYU will head to the Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational hosted by the GCAA in Napa Valley, Calif. from March 23-24.