University of Hawai’i senior James Whitworth recorded a 3-under 69 in the first round of the Amer Ari Intercollegiate at Mauna Lani Resort’s North Course on Thursday. Whitworth, from Carlsbad, California, was 4-under after his first 11 holes and finished with three birdies in a four-hole stretch. His performance tied him for 42nd place and marked his best score of the season, as well as his seventh round at par or better this year.
Freshman Alec Hilgers matched his season-best with a 1-under 71 and is tied for 75th place. Sophomore Dane Watanabe shot an even-par 72 to tie for 82nd place.
The Rainbow Warriors are tied for 18th place alongside co-host UH-Hilo with a team score of 3-under 285. Auburn leads the tournament at 32-under 256, followed by Stanford, Arizona State, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State.
Individually, Pepperdine’s Mahanth Chirravuri holds the lead after shooting an 11-under 61. He is one stroke ahead of Auburn’s Jackson Koivun. Out of the field of 122 players, ninety-two finished at par or better.
Other University of Hawai’i participants include Nathan Szpakowicz (73, tied for 92nd), Chris Salem (77, tied for 114th), Cameron Combado (78, tied for 117th), and Quinn Murray (87, in 121st), with Combado and Murray competing as individuals.
The second round is scheduled to begin Friday at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start.
