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RIVERTON — All of his life, Alan Akina made a promise to his son Kihei that he was certain would be fulfilled: the first PGA Tour event he attended would be the one where he was in the field.
That promise was fulfilled this past weekend at the Black Desert Championship. And though Kihei Akina, the top-rated high school golfer by USA Today, just wanted to see a PGA event growing up, he's glad his dad kept his promise.
Less than 72 hours after missing the cut by a single stroke at Black Desert Resort, Akina teed off at Riverbend Golf Course with the rest of his Lone Peak squad Monday morning. After a shaky start, the BYU commit found his footing with birdies on three of the final four holes to take a one-stroke lead on Mauss halfway through the 36-hole 6A final.
"It's been a little bit crazy, but a lot of fun," the younger Akina told KSL.com after his first round at Riverbend. "I didn't really know what to expect, how many people would be there, or anything else. But it was cool to play in front of all of those people — it's what you practice for, to get to play on the PGA Tour."
Akina shot 8-under-par 64 in the opening round, one stroke ahead of Mauss, who carded seven birdies including an impressive run of four-straight on holes No. 8-11 around the turn at Riverbend.
Ryder Huish and Blake Brown were tied for third at 6-under 66, while Corner Canyon's Ty Anderson shot 5-under 67 to keep the Chargers within three strokes of the Knights for the 6A team title.
Akina carded back-to-back 69s last Thursday and Friday, and ended his round late Friday evening on the cut line. To make the cut in the 18-year-old golfer's PGA Tour debut would've been a dreamed.
But the dream was dashed early Saturday morning, when a handful of late rounds finished and moved the cut line just one stroke above Akina, who left a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-3, 167-yard 18th hole less than three feet short.
He'll take plenty away from the week, though — not the least lesson being a desire to get back to the highest level of the sport, after his high school career in Alpine and a collegiate career in Provo. Akina's game has plenty of improvements to be had; he'll be the first to admit it.
But the upward trajectory is undeniable.
"If I have the right approach to the game and the right mindset, really focusing on my routine, then I can compete with anybody," he said. "I think I proved that at the PGA tournament, and I just need to continue to play well."
Ditto for Mauss, the Arizona State commit who shot 74-74 and joined Akina as one of seven Utah golfers to miss the cut after Friday's second round. Former BYU golfer Zac Blair, the most experienced Utah golfer on the PGA Tour, was the only Utah golfer who made it through to the weekend.
Mauss, the reigning Salt Lake City Amateur champion who had been labeled a "golf prodigy" leading up to the Black Desert Championship, also learned what it takes to compete at the highest level of the sport. And he, too, isn't that far away, even for a 17-year-old wunderkind.
"I've practiced or played all day, every day for the past 10 days," he said after his first round at the state meet. "It's been pretty busy for me.
"I didn't play my best, but I got really good experience and got to feel that pressure. I think it was good for my game, to learn from the PGA Tour players. I learned that I could hang with anybody; I didn't have my best stuff, and still competed. But I learned that I need to stay patient out there, while also staying aggressive. I learned a lot about my game."
Good for his pro game, but also good for his development toward Tempe and a program currently led by two-time Utah state amateur champion Preston Summerhays and coached by former BYU golfer Matt Thurmond.
"I love both of the coaches at ASU, and it's a really good team that I think will be the best for my game," Mauss said. "My goal is to make it to the PGA Tour. I think that gives me the best chance."
Technically, Mauss has already made it to the PGA Tour (playing on an exemption). New goal?
"I guess to get my Tour card," he added, with a laugh.
