Waiakea’s Trevor Hirata double-bogeyed No. 2 at Hualalai, but it turned out to be his only hiccup Sunday. By the turn he was back to par and in the lead, and by round’s end he was the runaway leader at the BIIF golf championships.
Hirata turned in a 4-under 68, and he’ll tee off with an eight-shot lead Tuesday at The Club at Hokulia when he tries to defend his title in the final round.
“I hit the ball really well, got some good putts and the weather was pretty good,” Hirata said.
Kamehameha’s Shantel Antonio also enjoyed her best round of the season with a 76 that gave her a three-shot lead in the girls race.
The most consistent boys golfer during the regular season, Hirata bettered his best BIIF round this season by four strokes and matched the low round of 68 that Waiakea’s Shon Katahira fired April 15 at Mauna Lani.
“It’s been a while since I made six birdies,” Hirata said,
Four of them came on the back nine after the junior began to catch fire after a birdie on No. 10. It was either par of birdie from there on out.
“No hole really sticks out. I just like this course,” he said. “It sets up well for me to make shots.”
Only two golfers were within 10 strokes of Hirata. Kamehameha’s Preston Ching carded a 76, Katahira was another two shots back and Kamehameha’s Kala’i Pomroy was fourth after shooting 79.
Hirata entered the final round last season protecting a one-stroke lead before pulling away to beat Pomroy by nine shots. He said his mind-set won”t change Tuesday.
“Just going to try and play my game and try not to let anyone catch up,” he said.
Kamehameha coach Bob Roman lauded Antonio for her consistency Sunday. The 2014 runner-up’s best round of the regular season was the 80 she used to win at Waikoloa Village on April 2, her lone victory.
“She’s always had this kind of round in her,” Roman said. “She works hard and has a great attitude. She lives for golf. She loves to play with the Waiakea freshmen.”
The Waiakea trio occupied the next three spots. Kaley Saludares was at 76, Kaelyn Uchida slumped to an 11-over on the front nine but she recovered and was at 82 and Anne Nakamoto was another shot back in fourth.
How conistent was Antonio?
The senior didn’t record a birdie but she was still flirting with par until she finished her round with three consecutive bogeys.
“I think she’ll sleep fine tonight,” Roman said.