Saturday, April 21, 2001
[HAWAII GOLF]
Nishimoto leads Kevin Hayashi made the turn at yesterday's soggy 38th annual Mid-Pacific Open a rather indifferent 1-over par and seemingly no threat to take the championship. But that's no longer the case.
by 1 over Hayashi
Suzuki, Nakama 3 out
at Mid-Pacific OpenBy Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinTeeing off on the backside of the lush Mid-Pacific Country Club course, Hayashi began his birdie binge on the par-4 first by driving the green, landing his ball only 25 feet from the hole. He left that eagle putt just short, settling for a birdie en route to a 5-under 67.
His two-day total of 140 trails only Dan Nishimoto, who followed Thursday's 68 with a solid 71, entering today's third round of the $25,000 golf tournament. Three strokes back at 142 are eight-time Mid-Pac winner Lance Suzuki and Casey Nakama.
Former PGA Tour player Larry Stubblefield is also in the hunt at 143. His 69 on the rain-swept course appeared to be the day's best. That is, until Hayashi decided to make his presence felt.
"He is the man right now in Hawaii,'' playing partner Kendall Fukumoto said of Hayashi. "He got hot just before the rain really started coming down. That shot on the first hole (their 10th) was awesome. He left that eagle putt in the jaws.''
Hayashi saw the round in a little different light.
"Those five holes were the only time I really got it going," Hayashi said. "Hopefully I can maybe get hot over the weekend and see what happens. It's just a matter of getting into a rhythm and making some putts.''
Nishimoto has maintained his rhythm through the first two rounds. He shared the first-round lead with Kevin Ralbovsky, who came back yesterday afternoon with an 82. Nishimoto's goal entering the final 36 holes is to maintain his present course.
Defending champion Beau Yokomoto failed to make the cut by a stroke. He shot a respectable 73 yesterday to finish at 152.
Nakama, the man Yokomoto rallied to beat last year during the final round, remained in contention, despite not making a birdie.