WAIKOLOA — Paradise is proving to be a pretty good place to play for Oklahoma State.
The top-ranked Cowboys opened their title defense at the 28th annual Amer Ari Intercollegiate with a 21-under 267, securing a two-shot lead over Texas Tech (-19) heading into the second round at the Waikoloa Kings’ Golf Course.
The Cowboys are four shots ahead of Oregon (-17) and 10 strokes ahead of Georgia Tech — the No. 2 ranked team in the land — and USC.
Zach Bauchou led the way for Oklahoma State, tearing up the course with a 9-under 63, just one shot off the course record.
As a team, the Cowboys took advantage of the course’s Par 4 holes, going 11-under as a team on the day — four better than any other squad.
But even with a leaderboard loaded with ranked teams and players, the hosts are hanging around.
UH-Hilo’s Jared Kinoshita fired a 6-under 66 to finish the day tied for third at the event co-hosted by the Vulcans and the University of Hawaii-Manoa.
Kinoshita was in pretty good company in third, tied with the No. 3 ranked amateur golfer in the world in Oregon State’s Viktor Hovland. Sam Foust of Oregon and Kyle Hogan of Texas Tech also checked in at 66. Kinoshita’s score was just one shot off his UH-Hilo school record of 65 set on the same course last fall.
Oregon’s Ryan Gronlund is in second among individuals at 7-under.
USC’s Justin Suh, the defending Amer Ari medalist and No. 1 ranked golfer in the NCAA, shot a 68. The Trojans’ Kaito Onishi, ranked No. 2 in the country, is still very much in contention with a 69.
Kinoshita had solid support from teammate Taylor Patrick, who shot a 1-under 71. Warren Miller and freshman Andrew Otani shot 74s to contribute to the team score. Evan Merrier was next with a 75.
UH-Manoa is currently in last place at 9-over.
Utah was the leader when it came to first round eagles, with four, two coming from Kyler Dunkle. He accomplished the feats on holes No. 4 and 18 — both Par 5s. Dunkle finished 4-under and tied for 12th.
Round 2 will begin on Friday at 7:30 a.m. The public is invited to watch.
