Punahele Jerky Company Inc. Invitational Results (Round 1 & 2)
KOHALA COAST, Hawaii – In a Punahele Jerky Company Inc. Invitational featuring five nationally-ranked teams, Menlo Men's Golf completed the first day of action in second overall with the tandem of sophomore
Chase Yukawa and sophomore
Cesare Pagliughi both among the top six of a 76-golfer field. In his first appearance since
winning the Otter Invitational, Yukawa made history with a 6-under-par 66 second-round performance that broke the program's single-round record.
Yukawa At 6-Under-Par, Pagliughi 5-Under-Par Heading Into Final Round
Two birdies and 14 pars guided Yukawa's even-par 72 to start the tournament, but his gem of a second round was not just the best of any competitor on the day – it was the lowest by any Oak ever. He started it with two birdies then, following four pars, dropped an eagle on Hole 7 and proceeded to finish with seven pars, three birdies, and one bogey the rest of the way. In the end Yukawa's 6-under-par 66 bettered what had been a five-way tie for Menlo's top round to date (5-under-par 67) originally set in by
Colin Casey in 2017.
Seven total birdies highlighted Pagliughi's first 14 holes on Monday as he came extremely close to Yukawa's eventual program record with a 4-under-par 68 opening round. The native of Cassina De' Pecchi, Italy stayed in the red, following that effort up by a particularly consistent second round marked by three birdies and 14 pars good for a 1-under-par 71.
Two additional key contributors to the Oaks' strong start, junior
Emmett Shell and freshman
Bennet Brand, each had even-par 72 scores to go with other low totals as part of their respective top-25 placements. Tied for 13th to end the day, Shell posted a 2-under-par 70 prior to his even mark, finishing with seven birdies and 24 pars while Brand began with a 2-over-par 74 then parred 16 times during his even result in round two which helped tie him for 24th overall.
Up Next
The Oaks will finish out the Punahele Jerky Company Inc. Invitational tomorrow out at Mauna Lani Resort Golf Club North Course.
