HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i golfer Blaze Akana has qualified for the Sony Open in Hawai'i for the second consecutive year after winning a local qualifier for Hawai'i's top amateurs last month.
 
Akana carded a 6-under 66 at Wai'alae Country Club, site of the Sony Open, to win the qualifier for the top 12 ranked amateurs. Players gain points from designated amateur tournaments on the Hawai'i State Golf Association schedule throughout the year, with automatic eligibility going to the reigning Hawai'i State Amateur and Manoa Cup champions.
 
The Sony Open begins Thursday, Jan 11.   
 
The Honolulu native competed in his first Sony Open last year after winning the same local qualifier. Akana carded rounds of 71 and 72 but missed the cut. The Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama alum was the first UH golfer to compete in the Sony Open since David Saka in 2011. TJ Kua also competed in the tournament in 2010.
 
Several other Rainbow Warriors competed in the qualifier – James Whitworth (73), Kolbe Irei (74), Dane Watanabe (74), Josh Hayashida (77), Tyler Ogawa (79), and Anson Cabello (81).
 
Akana currently leads the Rainbow Warriors with a 70.67 scoring average this season, shooting under par in five of 12 rounds including three in the 60s. The spring schedule begins Feb. 8-10 with the Amer Ari Intercollegiate in Waimea, Hawai'i.