Baab, Kim lead state juniors

Advertiser Staff

Allan Baab opened defense of his Callaway Hawai'i State Junior Championship by firing a 3-under-par 69 yesterday at Club at Hokuli'a. He takes a four-shot lead into today's final round.

Kimberly Kim has a two-shot advantage in the girls division after shooting a 73.

The 14-and-under juniors played their championships last week at Hawai'i Prince. The 14-to-18 age division is playing on the Big Island. Kim won't be 13 until next month, but she's playing up a division.

Baab was a senior on Kaua'i High's state championship team in May. Teammate Kellen Watabu is tied for second with Stephen Zane, at 73. Chad Nonaka (74), also a Red Raider, is fourth. Skip Murphy and Samuel Cyr are tied for fifth at 75.

Wailuku's Kelly Nakashima (75) is alone in second in the girls division, followed by Xyra Suyetsugu and Mari Chun at 76, and Mary Akutagawa and Kayla Morinaga at 77.

Chun, who won the women's State Match Play Championship last month, finished second to Lehua Wise last year.

Today's final round tees off at 9 a.m.

Toyama trails by one stroke in Oregon

Kane'ohe's Travis Toyama is tied for fourth, but just one shot out of the lead after shooting a 3-under-par 69 in the first round of the Rolex Tournament of Champions yesterday in Oregon.

Hilo's Amanda Wilson is eight shots out of first in the girls' division. Wilson, who missed the cut at the U.S. Women's Open Friday in Virginia, had three double bogeys yesterday in a round of 78. She is tied for 26th.

The 72-hole American Junior Golf Association event is being played at Sunriver Resort's Crosswater Course.