LIHU'E, Kaua'i – University of Hawai'i freshman
Kotaro Murata finished in a tie for seventh place after the final round of the 44
th John A. Burns Intercollegiate Saturday at the famed Wailua Golf Course.
With blue skies and perfect conditions for the tournament's third and final round, Murata carded a 2-under 70 for a 4-under 212 total. The Japan native posted four birdies on his round and 13 for the tournament.
As a team, the Rainbow Warriors finished in 20
th place with an 895 total after a final round 298. No. 10 Texas A&M captured its third Burns Intercollegiate title and second in the last three years with a 845 total, five strokes ahead of 40
th-ranked New Mexico (850). No. 15 BYU placed third at 856.
Individually, New Mexico's Sam Choi took medalist honors at 10-under 206 after a final round 66 which included an eagle on the 18
th hole. North Carolina's Ryan Gerard was runner-up at 7-under while defending champion Peter Kuest of BYU finished in a tie for third at 6-under.
Murata's finish was his second Top 10 in the last two tournaments. Two weeks ago, he tied for 10
th at the prestigious Amer Ari Intercollegiate in Waikoloa, Hawai'i in a highly competitive field. This week, he beat out 11 nationally ranked individuals.
Junior
Justin Arcano carded 2-over 74 and finished in a tie for 67
th at 6-over 222. Junior
Kanata Irei tallied 8-over for a 229 total and a tie for 103
rd. Seniors
Nick Nelson and
Trevor Hirata concluded their final home tournament of their careers with a 74 and 85, respectively. Nelson tied for 113
th at 232 while Hirata was 121
st at 250.
Three UH golfers are competing as individuals – junior
Cole Yoshida (75, t-116
th), sophomore A.J. Teraoka (83, 119
th), and junior
Justin Ngan (78, 120
th). Junior
Matt Lloyd withdrew for the third straight day due to illness.
The Warriors will next compete in the GCU Invitational, March 13-14 in Phoenix, Ariz.
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