Hawaii Beat Star-Bulletin staff

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Watabu ties for first at NCAA regional

Nevada senior Casey Watabu of Lihue shot a final-round 64 on Saturday to tie for individual medalist honors at the NCAA West Regional in Tucson, Ariz.

Watabu, a Kauai graduate, finished the three-day tournament at 13-under 203 to tie Florida's Billy Horschel for first. His final-round score was one shot shy of a Wolf Pack record as he became the first Nevada golfer to win an NCAA regional. His score helped Nevada place ninth overall to advance to the NCAA championship for the first time since 1990.

The NCAA championship is set for May 31 to June 3 in Sunriver, Ore.

» Norman-Ganin Asao carded an even-par 72 yesterday to win the Kona Open, his first victory as a professional.

Asao birdied the final hole to finish at 2-under 142, one stroke ahead of Ivan Cunningham (71), Jarett Hamamoto (69), David Havens (69), Regan Lee (72) and Matt Pakkala (74).

Asao pocketed $4,000 with the win at Kona Country Club's Ocean Course.

Bruce Irons surfs into third round in Fiji

Kauai's Bruce Irons won his three-man first-round heat yesterday in the Globe WCT Fiji surf contest yesterday in 6-8 foot waves at Cloudbreak.

With the win, Irons moved all the way into the third round of the World Championship Tour event.

Five other Hawaii surfers failed to win their heats yesterday and moved into the second round. In their respective heats, Pancho Sullivan and three-time world champ Andy Irons placed second, and Roy Powers and Ian Walsh placed third