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Saturday, October 28, 2000

Hayashi, Nakama
tied going into State
Open final round

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By Bill Kwon
Star-Bulletin

Defending champion Kevin Hayashi and Casey Nakama remained tied going into today's final round of the Hawaii State Open.

Co-leaders with a 5-under 67 in the opening round, they both shot even-par 72s yesterday at the Hawaii Prince Course for a 36-hole total of 139.

Three strokes back at 142 is Maui amateur Ryan Koshi, who carded a 72 yesterday.

A two-stroke penalty at the par-5 sixth hole cost Nakama sole possession of first place.

After leaving his third shot in the greenside bunker, Nakama took a careless swipe with his sand wedge, brushing the sand and costing him two strokes.

"I was disgusted at myself," Nakama said. "I think it's the first time I've had a penalty like that. It's just one of those things."

Hayashi birdied the hole, resulting in a three-stroke swing between the two leaders.

Playing the back nine first, Nakama eagled the par-5 14th after nailing a 1-iron from 230 yards out to within three feet of the cup.

Then it was Hayashi's turn to relinquish the lead when he bogeyed his final hole, the difficult 403-yard ninth.

"I wasn't putting very well today," Hayashi said.

Nakama was making his putts. "I need for my putting stroke to hold up one more day," he said.

The winning pro will earn $7,250.

Dean Prince posted the day's best round, a 4-under 68, to open a five-stroke lead over Mike Iyoki among the seniors. Prince is seeking his fifth straight title.

Christel Tomori appears headed for a three-peat in the women's division, shooting a 73-145 for an eight-stroke lead over Dawn Kaneshiro. Playing the back nine first, Tomori opened with a double-bogey at 10 and a bogey at 11. But she made birdies on the two par-5s and she chipped in for a birdie-3 at 17 to make the turn at even par.