Headed to the Final Round

Jesse Mueller of Mesa, AZ has a four shot lead after the second round of play at the Turtle Bay Resort Hawaii State Open. The event is being held at Turtle Bay Golf’s Arnold Palmer and George Fazio golf courses from Dec. 17 – 20. A record 252 golfers from around the state and from the mainland gathered to compete in Hawaii’s premier local golfing event.

Mueller (34-33), 2009 Hawaii Pearl Open champion, shot a 5-under-par 67 in today’s second round to take the sole lead in the Open championship with a two day total 133. In second place is Steve Watanabe Jr. (35-35) of Lafayette, CA who shot a 70 for a two day total 137. Dean Wilson, who just celebrated his 40th birthday on Thursday, shot a second round 69 for a two day total of 6-under-par 138.

Kirk Nelson (34-30) of Makena Golf Course, who just turned 50 on Monday, fired a 8-under par 64 in today’s second round to lead the Senior Division with a two day total 12-under-par 132. Eight shots back is Aloha Section PGA Senior Player of the Year Lance Taketa (36-33) of Hilo Muni Golf Course with a two day total 140. There are three tied for third at 141, amateur Eric Sonnenberg, Stan Souza and Glenn Tamagawa of Wailua GC.

Defending Women’s Division champion, Cyd Okino (37-37), 16, is on her way to capture her fourth title with a two shot lead at an even 144. Tied for second place at 146 is Katie Kempter (38-33) who just received her LPGA Tour Card and Kelli Oride (38-37), 16, of Lihue, HI.

Justin Kurihara, 13, of Honolulu, HI shot a 72 for a two day total 145 to lead the Men’s A-Flight division and Iris Kawada, 12, of Kaneohe, HI leads the Women’s A-Flight with a 166.

Turtle Bay sponsored golfer Tony Finau is tied for 5th, seven strokes behind the leader and Turtle Bay sponsored golfer Gipper Finau did not make today’s cut.