Kaua‘i Collegiate invitational

LIHU‘E — University of Hawai‘i senior T.J. Kua fired a 7-under par 67 and the Hawai‘i men’s golf team continued to lead the Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational golf tournament at the Puakea Golf Course, Monday.

With one round to be completed Tuesday, the Hawai‘i team finished with a 282, led by Kua’s 67 (36-31) and Cory Oride, a Kaua‘i native, finishing with a two-under par 70 (34-36). Mike Koeneke added his even par 72 (37-35).

Tommy Yamashita finished with a one-over par 73 (37-36) and Henry Park rounded out the team scoring with a 77 (39-38).

The University of San Diego, defending champion, finished Monday’s round just two strokes back of Hawai‘i, led by Linus Vaisanen firing a four-under par 68 (33-35). Alex Ching, tying with Kua at 69, Sunday, faltered on the course, ending the day at 74 (38-36).

The College of Charleston ended the day at 285, led by Alex Ellis at three-under 69 (36-33) and John Duke Hudson at 70 (34-36).

Utah Valley State University had a 70 (33-37) from Mason Casper to finish at 291. Nate Varty of North Dakota State University finished even par 72 (34-38) and Nathan Anderson (38-25) and Kyle Jandro (35-38) tied at one-over 73 to help that team in its 293 round, an improvement over its 308 opening round.

Quin Kplitz of Seattle University finished with a one-over 73 (38-35) to lead that team in its Monday round.

Kua opened the round with a five-under at the crossing, but cooled on the back nine, said Ron Castillo Jr. of the Puakea Golf Course.

Nainoa Calip, playing as an individualist for the Hawai‘i team blazed through the course with a 69 (35-34) followed by another Hawai‘i individualist, Brian Lee, carding a 70 (36-34).

Seth Stuart of College of Charleston fired a 71 (36-35) to round out the individual leaders.

The Kaua‘i Collegiate Invitational closes with its final round starting at 8 a.m. at the Puakea Golf Course.