Takai rallies to capture state title and helps Punahou 3-peat
A year ago, Alexa Takai saw her dream of winning the girls golf individual state title as a freshman crumble in the final round. This time, the Punahou sophomore rallied from a four-stroke deficit, carding a 4-under par 68 on Wednesday to capture the title at the David Ishii/HHSAA Girls Golf State Championships at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course. She carded a 34 on the front nine and 34 on the back.
She finished the tourney at 74-68, 2 under par. On the strength of Takai, Samantha Monroe and Keelee Nogawa, Punahou made it a three-peat with the team title. The Buffanblu carded a two-round tally of 438.
OIA champion Mililani was tied with the Buffanblu after one round, and finished at 449 for runner-up honors. Day two was generally a bit windier. One coached said No.
11 changed directions during the second round. Some golfers noted winds were still swirling, but with a little more force. It didn’t matter for Takai,.
“It was maybe a little swirlier than yesterday. It was nothing we haven’t played before,” she said. Takai had the lowest four-score average in the ILH, then withdrew after one round of last week’s ILH championships due to a cyst on the back of her right hand.