Asao tops Cup qualifying

The 2003 champion shoots a 67 to earn the second seed; match play opens today

In 2003, Kellen-Floyd Asao shot the lowest score during the qualifying round en route to his first Manoa Cup title.

Three years later, Asao finds himself in nearly the exact same position after firing a 4-under 67 yesterday to lead 63 qualifiers into today's first round of the state amateur match-play championship at Oahu Country Club.

The similarities for Asao between yesterday's qualifying round and three years ago do not end there. Last year's champion, Travis Toyama, who is automatically the No. 1 seed in today's first-round action, was also the defending champion in '03; Asao needed just 29 holes to claim the 36-hole championship.

"Usually I take the qualifying round not too seriously, but I had the tournament mind-set from the get-go this year" said Asao, who is making his fifth straight appearance in the Manoa Cup. "(In 2003), I won the qualifier and it gave me a lot of confidence entering match play, so hopefully this year will be the same."

The 22-year-old former University of Hawaii golfer has played in only a couple of tournaments this year, most recently finishing in a tie for seventh place at the state amateur stroke play championships in March. He has just two classes left before graduating in the fall, when he hopes to be able to devote more time to playing golf.

"It'll be nice to get everything out of the way so I can focus more on golf and getting better," he said.

Unlike in years past, the first and second rounds will be played over two days instead of on a single day. The quarterfinals and semifinals will both be played on Friday, with the 36-hole championship set for Saturday at 7 a.m.

"It'll be nice only playing one round (today)," four-time Manoa Cup champion Brandan Kop said. "That'll let older guys like us last a little longer."

Kop, who won this tournament in 1983, '86, '97, and '98, is making his 26th appearance in the event, and shot an even-par 71, eight shots ahead of the cut. Six players finished in a tie for 63 rd at 8 over par, but Edward Han and Bill Henry survived a two-hole playoff to clinch the final two spots in today's championship.

Meanwhile, Toyama finished with an even-par 71 as he was able to enjoy yesterday's qualifying round since he already had clinched a berth in the tournament. The 19-year old is looking to become the 11th golfer to win back-to-back championships, and just the second in the last 34 years.

"It was good to get out there, get a feel for the greens, and hit some good shots," Toyama said. "As the defending champion, there's a target on your back. Everyone is coming after you, so you must play well each day."

Waianae graduate Alvin Okada Jr., who lost to Asao in the round of 16 in '03, had an 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a chance to equal the low round of the day. But, as was the case for many golfers yesterday, the final green mocked Okada, as he putted the ball off the surface, then needed two more attempts to get back on the green before two-putting for a triple-bogey 8 that left him at even par for the day.

"That was without a doubt the most difficult green to play on," Okada said. "To me, the qualifying round is like a practice round, so (the last hole) won't change my mind-set at all (today)."

Two other previous champions advanced through yesterday's qualifier. Ryan Perez, the 2004 champion, shot a steady 4-over 75, while 1990 champion Richard Sieradzki finished with a 76.

Only four players finished under par for the day. Pierre-Henri Soero finished one shot behind Asao with a 68, while Jared Sawada fired a 2-under 69 and Chris Caycayon shot a 70.

---

GOLF

Manoa Cup

At Oahu Country Club

Qualifying round

x--Defeated four others in playoff

Kellen-Floyd Asao	33-34	--	67
Pierrre-Henri Soero	32-36	--	68
Jared Sawada	33-36	--	69
Chris Caycayon	36-34	--	70
Doug Williams	37-34	--	71
Craig Uyehara	34-37	--	71
Brandan Kop	36-35	--	71
Shannon Tanoue	37-34	--	71
Alvin Okada	32-39	--	71
Lee Sakugawa	38-34	--	72
Jonathan Ota	37-35	--	72
Reyn Tanaka	37-35	--	72
Matthew Ma	36-36	--	72
Gary Kong	34-39	--	73
Glenn Niitani	37-36	--	73
Robert Greenleaf	35-38	--	73
Michael Jay Sato	36-37	--	73
Haku Maluenda	37-36	--	73
Isaac Jaffurs	37-37	--	74
Edward Stenftenagel	38-36	--	74
Kenneth Tenn	38-36	--	74
Jeff Weinstein	37-37	--	74
Garret Hayashi	38-36	--	74
Jon Daniel Jr.	37-38	--	75
Barry Schnabel	40-35	--	75
Steven Matsuno	40-35	--	75
Shigeru Matsui	38-37	--	75
Andrew Llarenas	36-39	--	75
Ryan Perez	38-37	--	75
Spencer Shishido	39-36	--	75
Troy Higashiyama	36-39	--	75
Kellen Watabu	37-38	--	75
Yusuke Aonuma	38-38	--	76
Jon Jew	38-38	--	76
Bradley Shigezawa	38-38	--	76
Joseph Thomas	39-37	--	76
Jonathan Hirata	37-39	--	76
Richard Sieradzki	38-38	--	76
Phillip Anamizu	36-40	--	76
Toby Martyn	37-39	--	76
Colton Kneldler	37-39	--	76
Brandon Tashiro	37-40	--	77
Michael Park	40-37	--	77
Scott Seki	39-38	--	77
Justin Sakaue	35-42	--	77
Burt Bonk	41-36	--	77
Tom Goodbody	38-39	--	77
Mason Davis	38-39	--	77
Shakil Ahmed	36-41	--	77
Shunsuke Aonuma	41-36	--	77
Scott Yoshida	37-40	--	77
Michael Miguel	36-41	--	77
Gregory Ono	37-40	--	77
Jamie Matsumura	38-40	--	78
Robert Oda	39-39	--	78
Michael Field	35-43	--	78
Kurt Mizusawa	41-37	--	78
Jarret Young	37-41	--	78
Samuel Rodriguez III	38-40	--	78
Thomas Herrick	41-37	--	78
Erick Ellgren	39-39	--	78
x-Edward Han	40-39	--	79
x-Bill Henry	39-40	--	79