KOHALA COAST — Over the past four years, Pono Yanagi has battled in one BIIF championship after another, often finding himself in the last pairing during the final round, only to come up a little short.
After the first round of the 2019 tournament on Sunday, the Kamehameha-Hawaii senior was not able to get himself into the last group after a pair of double bogeys at Hualalai Golf Club put him in a tie for fourth place, three shots behind the leader.
Yanagi, playing one boys group ahead of the leaders during Round 2 on Monday, struggled over the first two holes at Mauna Kea Golf Club, but a birdie putt on the fourth changed the course of the match.
With new life, great poise, and most importantly, smart club selections from the tee box, Yanagi came from behind to claim his first BIIF title after shooting a two-day score of 3-over-par, 147.
“I was fighting for a lot this year with it being my final high school season,” Yanagi said. “It is an honor to say that I am a BIIF champ.”
Over the course of his career, Yanagi has often been one of the longest hitters in the state off the tee box, but that has also gotten him into trouble during the BIIF championships, with balls often shooting through fairways or going so long it puts new hazards into the play that would not normally be a problem for average length hitters.
However, during his even-par, 72 performance at Mauna Kea, Yanagi often went with a shorter club selection from the tee, only pulling out the driver in select circumstances.
With a more controlled styled of play, Yanagi was able reel in his teammate, Dillon Ah Chong, to claim a one-stroke victory.
“The maturity that he showed throughout the tournament this year, his course management, his game management, it was great to see,” said Kamehameha head coach Jaysen Manuia. “Watching him his freshman year, coming out and hitting the ball as long as anyone, and then to see him combine that with the ability to know what shots to hit and know what shots not to hit, it was incredible.”
Manuia compared what Yanagi did on Monday to what Tiger Woods did on the final day at this year’s Masters.
“He did not play beyond his means, he hit the center of the greens and he took the birdies that he had,” Manuia said. “I saw him hit a lot of 2-irons and 3-woods from the tee box, making sure he hit the fairway. I don’t think I saw him in the bushes looking for balls and that is big.”
The birdie putt on the par-4, fourth hole was crucial to getting Yanagi on track. He went on to birdie the fifth, eighth and ninth holes to finish the front nine with a 2-under, 34.
“After I birdied four, I knew I could make a comeback right then,” Yanagi said. “I gave myself the shot that I needed.”
Playing a a tough course, Yanagi shot a 2-over, 38 on the back nine.
“Today was pretty interesting but I was able to make the turn at 2-under and that helped,” Yanagi said. “It really boosted my confidence. Overall it was a great day and a fun day.”
Yanagi shot a opening round of 3-over, 75 at Hualalai Golf Club.
“Mental confidence was really the big difference between the first and second rounds,” Yanagi said. “On Sunday, I didn’t really hit the ball where I wanted to, but today the mental side was a lot better and it helped me put the ball where it needed to go.”
Ah Chong entered the second day of the tournament with a one-stoke lead over both Hilo’s Ethan Hironaga and Kealakehe’s Ethan Jaehn after shooting an even-par, 72 at Hualalai.
However, he could not hold off a charging Yanagi at Mauna Kea, though he tied for the day’s second best score with a 4-over, 76.
Also shooting a 76 on the day, Waiakea’s Isaiah Kanno placed third with a two-day score of 151.
“This is just one of those weekends where I was very fortunate,” Yanagi said. “Everyone fought hard throughout the tournament and it was close.”
Next up for Yanagi is the HHSAA state tournament, and with the tourney being held at Waikoloa Kings Course, Yanagi has a big home course advantage over the kids coming from other islands.
“He has been playing Kings probably since he was eight or nine years old so that course sets up very well for him,” Manuia said. “That was also my practice facility when I was at UH-Hilo so I am excited to help him avoid the mistakes I made when I played there.”
The boys state tournament will be held May 9-10.