Kona’s Blake Nakagawa won the 7-10 flight IMG Junior World Golf Championship qualifier with a 13 over 77-80—157 total Wednesday at Pearl Country Club.
He’ll advance to the IMG Junior World Championships, held July 12-16 in San Diego, along with Hilo’s Leo Saito (+14 79-79—158), who also was one of the four who qualified.
In the 11-12 flight, Hilo’s Noah Miyazono was one shot back (+30 83-91—174) from a playoff for the fourth qualifying spot.
The other Big Island golfers were Hilo’s Olin Sakamoto (+38 94-88—182) and Waikoloa’s Paxton Carvalho (+63 106-101—207).
In the 13-14 flight, Hilo’s Jake Otani tied for ninth (+28 84-88—172), 10 shots off the final fourth qualifying spot, and Kona’s Ulukoanui Kailiwai was 11th (+44 97-91—188).
In the 15-18 flight, Hilo’s Dysen Park was fifth (+5 74-75—149), two shots from the fourth qualifying berth, and Hilo’s Noah Otani was tied for sixth (+7 79-72—151) with Hilo’s Dillon Ah Chong (+7 77-74—151), and Kona’s Katsuhiro Yamashita was 21st (+84-79—163).
In the girls 11-12 flight, Hilo’s Madelyn Awaya was 10th (+37 89-92—181), seven shots back of the fourth qualifying spot, and Kona’s Khloe Nakagawa was 16th (+116-97—213).
In the girls 15-18 flight, Hilo’s Elle Otani was 25th (+27 86-85—171), 17 strokes behind the fourth qualifying berth, and Waikoloa’s Isabella Rodriguez was 28th (+36 95-85—180).