Kua defeats Ching in Manoa Cup

T.J. Kua ended Alina Ching’s run in the Manoa Cup with a 4-and-3 win today at Oahu Country Club.

Kua, the top seed and defending Manoa Cup champion, never trailed in the match with Ching, the first female to advance to the third round in the tournament’s 102-year history.

Kua had an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole, birdied the par-3 seventh and was 4-up at the turn. He ended the match with a birdies on the 14th and 15th holes.

Kua will next face Colton Knedler — a 1-up winner over Todd Rego — in a quarterfinal match on Friday.

Sean Maekawa defeated four-time champion Brandan Kop 1 up and will meet Hunter Larson in the quarterfinals. Larson defeated Ryan Lloyd 3 and 1.

Second-seeded David Fink also advanced with a 3-and-1 win over Max Bonk. Fink will next face 2006 champion Jonathan Ota, who defeated David Saka 1 up.

Bou An Fujieki and Michael Fan also won their matches to reach the quarterfinals.