ISLE FILE
DeSoto advances in surf meet
Advertiser Staff
Duane DeSoto advanced to the fourth round of the Oxbow World Longboard Championships yesterday by the narrowest of margins.
The entire second round and half of the third round were completed yesterday in 4- to 5-foot waves at Manu Bay, Raglan, New Zealand.
DeSoto caught a wave in the final two minutes and received a score of 6.0 (out of 10). At the end of the heat, DeSoto and Jye Byrnes of Australia were tied with 14.0 points. DeSoto was awarded the victory because his best wave was an 8.0, while Byrnes' best was 7.25.
Two other Hawai'i surfers — Bonga Perkins and Kekoa Uemura — have yet to complete their third-round heats. Uemura had an 8.25 wave in his second-round victory over Japan's Anri Nabeshima.
One Hawai'i surfer, Keegan Edwards, was eliminated yesterday. He was defeated by South Africa's Mathew Moir, 15.5-14.15.
• Irons third: Kaua'i's Bruce Irons placed third in the Onbongo Pro yesterday in 3- to 4-foot waves at Florianopolis, Brazil.
Irons surfed in four heats yesterday, including the four-man final. Patrick Beven of France placed first, followed by Australian Tom Whitaker.
Irons, younger brother of defending world champion Andy Irons, earned $6,000 and 1,825 points toward the World Qualifying Series standings.
Bruce Irons moved up to No. 6 in the 2003 WQS ratings. With one WQS contest remaining — the Vans Hawaiian Pro at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach this week — Irons is on pace to join his brother on the 2004 World Championship Tour. The top 16 competitors in the final 2003 WQS ratings earn spots on the 2004 World Championship Tour.
GOLF
• Mullen ties for 22nd: After shooting 76 in the second and third rounds, Mililani's Jerry Mullen closed with an even-par 72 yesterday to tie for 22nd at the TaylorMade-adidas PGA Assistant Professional Championship.
The 27th annual tournament was played at the PGA Golf Club's Dye Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Mullen finished at 293 and won $1,213 of a $65,000 purse.
Kyle Flinton of Edmond, Okla., defended his title and set a scoring record of 18-under-par 270.
• Asao wins: Norman-Ganin Asao shot a final-round 1-under 71 yesterday to capture the Amatour Hawai'i Honolulu Country Club Tour Championship.
Asao finished at 141 to beat Michael Withrow by one stroke.
