ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -The University of Hawai`i men's golf team battled through stiff competition to end the first day of the William H. Tucker Invitational tied for 17th place. The Warriors tallied 601 strokes through two rounds on the University of New Mexico's 7,354 yard Championship Golf Course, which left them 25 strokes above par.

The Warriors were led through the first two rounds by senior Kellen-Floyd Asao and freshman Ryan Perez, who both finished day one tied for 64th with a score of 151. Perez began the morning with a two-over 74 in round one and followed-up with a five-over 77 in the second round. Asao notched a four-over 76 and a three-over 75 in the first and second rounds, respectively. Junior golfer Jarett Hamamoto and sophomore Pierre-Henri Soero ended the day tied for 71st and only one stroke behind Asao and Perez. Freshman Cody Wolfenbarger had his first round score nullified after he failed to sign his scorecard following the conclusion of the first round. Wolfenbarger rebounded in the second to fire a team-best par 72. Despite being disqualified from individual competition, Wolfenbarger's second and third round scores can still be counted toward the overall team total.

The University of Arizona shot 279 in round one and 284 in round two, which gave them control of first place in the highly competitive 19-team field. The Wildcats posted a two-round total of 563, which is six strokes ahead of the New Mexico Lobos as they head into the final round of golf. The action will continue tomorrow morning with tee-times starting at 7:30 a.m.

Team Score (Place)
Hawai`i 305-296=601 (T17)

Individual Score (Place)
Kellen-Floyd Asao 76-75= 151 (T64)
Ryan Perez 74-77= 151 (T64)
Jarett Hamamoto 79-73= 152 (T71)
Pierre-Henri Soero 76-76= 152 (T71)
Cody Wolfenbarger - -72= - - - (DQ)

-UH-