Oda, Isagawa 3 strokes off leads at Publinx

Honolulu’s John Oda and Maui’s Cassy Isagawa are three strokes off the respective leads at the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Amateur Public Links Championships after their first rounds on Monday.

Oda, the UNLV-bound defending HHSAA golf champion from Moanalua, shot a 34-35–69 to trail three leaders at 66 at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kansas.

Isagawa, a 20-year-old senior at the University of Oregon, trails Cindy Ha, 17, by three shots after shooting a 36-34–70 at the Home Course in Dupont, Wash.

Isagawa missed qualifying for the event by one stroke, but gained participation as the first alternate and shot 2 under on short notice.

Several other female golfers from Hawaii remain in striking distance of the lead entering Tuesday’s second round.

Alice Kim (71), Kaci Masuda (71), Eimi Koga (71), Mariel Galdiano (72), and Cyd Okino (72) shot par or better.

Besides Oda, the six other male golfers from Hawaii in the 156-person men’s field struggled to stay within range of the leaders. Dalen Yamauchi, of Hilo, is the closest with a 76. Donny Hopoi shot a 78 and Jameson Keiley and Clayton Amuro shot 79s.

In both Publinx Championships, the golfers must place in the top 64 after two rounds of stroke play then navigate six rounds of match play to win the title.

In total, 16 local golfers are in action at the two amateur events.