Nakama triumphs at Maui Open
By Bill Kwon
Special to The Advertiser
WAILEA, Maui — Casey Nakama birdied the third playoff hole to beat Kevin Hayashi in the 44th Maui Open yesterday.
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But a lucky bounce helped along the way.
Casey Nakama has won the Maui Open three times.
Nakama shot a 70 to finish with a 54-hole score of 207 at the Wailea Gold Course.
Nakama hooked a 4-iron off the tee at the par-3 16th hole into the lava rocks. But his ball bounced back on the green, 15 feet from the flagstick. He sank the putt for a birdie and a stroke lead over Hayashi.
"I was going to double bogey the hole," said Nakama, a teaching pro at Olomana.
"From a 5 to a 2," said Hayashi, who tied for the lead when Nakama bogeyed the par-4 18th, forcing a playoff.
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They went par-birdie on the first two extra holes.
Kevin Hayashi lost on his third plyaoff hole to Casey Nakama.
Nakama dropped a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-3 third, while Hayashi missed a 10-foot birdie putt.
For Nakama, it was his third Maui Open victory, all of which came in a playoff. He won in 1992 in a playoff with George Newbeck and Royden Hierakuji, and again in 1998 after being tied in regulation with Ron Castillo Jr.
"My putting has been giving me trouble," said Hayashi of Hilo Municipal Golf Course.
Defending champion Brian Sasada, who represents the Makena Resort, and Wailea's Eddie Lee, who had shared the 36-hole lead with Nakama and Hayashi, tied for third at 211.
Maui's Jay Kurisu was the low amateur with a 220.
Michelle Wie, the 11-year-old winner of the Jennie K. Invitational, played in the championship flight and posted rounds of 86, 78 and 83.
"I really was intimidated. They all encouraged me," said Wie, who will be trying to be the first wahine to qualify for the Manoa Cup today.
