College Player Leads
BYU's Kihei Akina shoots 64, shares Mexico Open lead
Kihei Akina, a 20-year-old sophomore at BYU, shot a 7-under 64 on Friday and sits in a three-way tie for the Mexico Open lead.
Kihei Akina is in the mix at the Mexico Open. Per the ESPN report, the 20-year-old BYU sophomore posted a 7-under 64 on Friday and moved into a three-way tie atop the leaderboard. Read the full report
A college player sharing the lead at a PGA Tour event is rare. Most amateurs and collegians who enter Tour fields miss the cut or fade over the weekend. Akina has already cleared the first hurdle, and a 64 is a number that holds up against any field. The ESPN report does not detail how the round came together or who else shares the lead, so those specifics are worth checking as the leaderboard settles.
A 64 puts a collegian in contention.
The next step is harder. Leading after 36 holes is one thing. Holding position through weekend pressure, with a professional field chasing, is another. A young player in his first extended run at this level often faces his biggest test on Saturday, when the course setup and the crowd both change.
Watch Akina's start on Saturday. A steady opening nine would show he can handle the lead. If he stays near the top into Sunday, it becomes one of the more notable college stories of the fall.