TEMPE, Ariz.-- The first two rounds of the Arizona State-hosted Thunderbird Invitational proved to be a rough course for the University of Hawai`i men's golf team as they finished the day tied for 14th place with the Sun Devil's second string, or "maroon" team. In a tournament boasting five top-25 nationally ranked teams by the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index, the Warriors opened round one with a team score of 301 and followed with a 295 in the second, putting them 28 strokes off the lead with 596 after 36 holes.

Freshman golfer Ryan Perez leads all Warriors with a 36-hole total of 146. Perez, a 2004 Moanalua graduate, shot a par 72 in the first round and a two-over 74 in the second to end day one tied for 33rd. Junior Jarett Hamamoto and freshman Travis Toyama each finished day one with 36-hole totals of 148 and are currently tied for 46th. Also competing for the Warriors are senior Kellen-Floyd Asao (154, 73rd) and sophomore Pierre-Henri Soero (160, 78th).

UNLV, ranked number four in the nation, leads the 15-team field by six strokes after firing 274 in the first round and 289 in the second. Arizona's Nathan Laskley and Kipp Riehle are atop the individual leader board after posting 36-hole totals of 138 each, four stroke below par. Action will resume Saturday morning on the 7,025 yard, par 71 Karsten golf course.

Team Score (Place)
Hawaii 301-295= 596 (T14th)

Individual Score (Place)
Ryan Perez 72-74=146 (T33)
Jarett Hamamoto 74-74=148 (T46)
Travis Toyama 76-72=148 (T46)
Kellen-Floyd Asao 79-75=154 (73)
Pierre-Henri Soero 84-76=160(78)

-UH-