Akina ties for 17th at PGA Tour’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship

SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — BYU men’s golfer Kihei Akina (66-67-70-203) tied for 17th at 10-under par Saturday at the PGA Tour’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course.

The sophomore earned his third top-25 finish in a PGA Tour event after making his fourth career PGA Tour cut on Friday.

“I thought I did a good job this week with my game and controlling my emotions,” Akina said. “Overall, I had a lot of fun in Bermuda.”

PGA Tour officials shortened the event to 54 holes due to high winds, making Saturday’s third round the final round.

After opening the tournament with rounds of 66 and 67 to make the cut at 9 under, Akina shot a 1-under 70 in the third round. The sophomore bogeyed No. 5 but responded with consecutive birdies on Nos. 6 and 7. After a bogey on No. 9 moved him back to even par before the turn, Akina added a bogey on No. 13 and birdies on Nos. 15 and 17 to finish at 1 under.

Former Cougar Zac Blair (65-69-70-204) tied for 25th at 9 under after carding a 1-under 70 in the third round. Blair recorded two birdies on the front nine before bogeys on Nos. 12 and 16 moved him back to even par. A birdie on No. 17 gave him a 1-under finish.

Akina, Blair and BYU alumnus Patrick Fishburn will next compete in the PGA Tour’s VidantaWorld Mexico Open, beginning Thursday, Oct. 29, at Vidanta Vallarta Golf Course in Nuevo Nayarit, Mexico.

“I’m looking forward to another fun week in Mexico,” Akina said. “It will be another good learning experience, and I’m looking forward to seeing how well I can stick to my process.”

Live scoring for the tournament will be available at pgatour.com/leaderboard.