HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kihei Akina (63-71-67-71–272) secured an 8-under-par runner-up finish in the Big 12 Men’s Golf Championship at Prairie Dunes Country Club on Wednesday.
No. 23 BYU men’s golf (280-282-286-290–1138) finished play at 18-over par to tie Baylor for seventh.
“The Big 12 Championship at Prairie Dunes was again a great event,” head coach Bruce Brockbank said. “The course is fabulous, and the cold and windy weather made it so difficult. Our team played some really nice golf at times. We just played two or three holes out there the last two days that kept us out of contention. A course like Prairie Dunes can surely do that to you.”
“Prairie Dunes was an exceptional venue for a conference championship, and the Big 12 staff did a great job,” director of golf Todd Miller said. “It was exciting to be near the lead after the first round, but it hurts to slip further from the leaders each round and finish where we did.”
Akina’s runner-up placement was the best finish any Cougar has had in a conference tournament since Zac Jones took home the WCC title in 2023. The no. 7-ranked golfer earned the highest finish by a BYU freshman since Peter Kuest won the 2017 WCC Championship. Akina’s 1-over-par final round flashed four birdies on the back nine, along with an eagle on hole 7, a par-5.
"It was a great experience and a great learning lesson for me to be in that position in one of the biggest tournaments I’ve played in," Akina said. "I let a few shots slip coming down the last nine, but still gave myself a chance to win. My game is in a good spot, and I'm excited to see where we get called for Regionals."
“Kihei continues to play outstanding golf,” Brockbank said. “Finishing runner-up in the Big 12 is impressive for a freshman. Fun to watch a kid that plays golf at the level he is playing the last 5 events.”
“Kihei played some amazing golf and deserves all the honors he will receive,” Miller said. “He played tough down the stretch and just came up short.”
Oklahoma State (279-267-275-289–1110) captured its 13th Big 12 title with a score of 10-under par. Cowboys golfer Preston Stout took home the individual title, the third conference victory of his career. Arizona (281-272-277-288–1118) had two players finish in the top-10 to lead it to second place at 2-under par. One stroke behind the Wildcats in third was TCU (281-280-278-280–1119), followed by Texas Tech (282-277-282-288–1129) at 9-over par, then Kansas (289-286-268-287–1130) at 10-over par to round out the top-5.
Tyson Shelley (72-70-77-71–290) and Simon Kwon (72-72-72-76–292) wrapped up their final conference tournament at BYU. Shelley tied for 46th by recording a 10-over-par 72-hole total, while Kwon finished tied for 54th at 12-over par.
Peter Kim (75-72-72-72–291) earned a share of 51st at 11-over par after his third consecutive 2-over-par round on Wednesday.
Jackson Mauss (73-69-75-79–296) finished his first Big 12 tournament tied for 63rd at 16-over par.
“We need to continue working on our short games as we prepare for the NCAA Regional,” Brockbank said.
The Cougars will anxiously await their selection to one of six sites for the NCAA Regionals to be played on May 18-20.