While Tadd Fujikawa may have extended his lead at the Turtle Bay Resort Hawaii State Open today with a 7-under 65, Maui’s Sam Cyr is keeping him honest only three shots back of the Oahu pro. Fujikawa (32-33), bested his opening round 68 with 8 birdies including three in a row on the Palmer’s 12th, 13th, and 14th holes and with only a bogey on 16 took full advantage of Saturday’s benign conditions. Sam Cyr (32-35) carded a 5-under-par 67 for a two day total 136. Tied at third place are professional golfers, Andy Connell (33-34) and Turtle Bay Resort’s Tony Finau (33-34) totaling 137 after two rounds. Makawao’s Alex Chiarella continues his fine play with a 1-under-par 71 today, and is T13. PGA Tour Player and 2007 Hawaii State Open Champion Dean Wilson of Kaneohe shot 73 and is at even par for the tournament. In the Senior Division, Maui hopefuls Capt. Kirk Nelson and Rohn Stark few back a few notches and are T15. David Ishii (34-32) of Pearl Country Club shot a 6-under par 66 in today’s second round to lead the Senior Division with a two day total 10-under-par 134. Two shots back is 1987 Hawaii State Open Champion Casey Nakama (33-36) with a two day total 136. In third place with a two day total of 138 is Lance Taketa (32-37) of Hilo Municipal Golf Course. Ji Soo Park (35-37) leads the Women’s Division at two under par after an even par round and 142 total. In second place is professional Britney Choy (34-38) from Wahiawa who posted another even par round and two day total of 144. First round co-leader Kelli Oride (36-39) of Lihue is in third place with a two day total of 145. Rayray Gorman, of Honolulu shot 68 to lead the Men’s A-Flight division and Hansol Koo, of Honolulu leads the Women’s A-Flight with an 82. The final round tees off Sunday beginning at 7:45AM. Admission is free and spectators are welcome to attend. Or follow the action with live scoring at aloha.pga.com The tournament is a stroke play format with a cut to the low 50% and ties after 36 holes. The low 33% will receive purse money or merchandise certificates. The Professionals are competing for a purse of $60,000 and while the amateurs are vying for a $10,000 in merchandise certificates. Last year, the Aloha Section PGA and Turtle Bay Resort entered into a three year agreement to promote local, Hawaiian golf tournaments at the same time that economical concerns took away the SBS Open and the Turtle Bay Championship. The concept was simple: Promote local and international talent at two of the world’s most phenomenal golf courses…the Arnold Palmer and the George Fazio at Turtle Bay Resort. Traditionally Hawaii’s last tournament of the year, the Hawaii State Open is also one of the state’s oldest events. First played in the 1920s, the tournament was the ultimate championship to determine the best golfer in the Islands. After major changes to the tournament that established it as an annual PGA Tour stop but excluded local players, the tournament did not return to its original form until the Aloha Section PGA took the reins in 1993. With the goal of enhancing the tournament’s rich traditions, the ASPGA strove to host the event at the best courses throughout the islands. In 2006, the ASPGA handed the event over to the ASPGA Foundation in order to raise additional funds for the promotion of golf throughout the islands and in support of junior golf programs.
