Kihei Akina Secured Second at Vuori Invitational
The BYU golfer finished one stroke behind the tournament winner after shooting three under par.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Golf
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BYU golfer Kihei Akina earned a second-place finish at the Vuori Invitational in San Diego this September. He completed the tournament at three under par with rounds of 71, 70, and 69.
Why it matters
The strong performance helps ground the expectations for the BYU men's golf team, which entered the season ranked No. 23 nationally. This result represents a significant early-season milestone for both the individual athlete and the program.
Akina shot a total of three under par with consistent rounds of 71, 70, and 69. This finish marks his eighth career top 5 placement across 15 collegiate tournaments.
The players
Kihei Akina
He is a collegiate golfer at BYU who represented Team USA in the 2026 Walker Cup.
Brayden Forte
He is the golfer who secured the win at the Vuori Invitational.
BYU Men's Golf
The team is a collegiate golf program based in Provo that entered the season with a No. 23 national ranking.
Arkansas Men's Golf
The team is a collegiate golf program that finished first at the Vuori Invitational.
The details
Akina improved his standing during the final round with a score of 69 to finish just one stroke behind winner Brayden Forte. While the Arkansas team took home the team title at the invitational, the BYU squad continues to build on its preseason momentum.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Akina competed for Team USA in the Walker Cup.
September 2026: The Vuori Invitational took place in San Diego.
Sept. 25-26, 2026: BYU will compete in the William H. Tucker Invitational.
Season Trajectory
This finish establishes Akina as a front-runner for the BYU team as they navigate their fall schedule. The result positions the program favorably as they aim for their 34th appearance at the NCAA national championship.
Akina's second-place finish adds a crucial top 5 placement to his collegiate career stats. This result provides immediate positive momentum for the team's ranking heading into the William H. Tucker Invitational.
The takeaway
Consistent performance in early-season invitationals often serves as a predictor for success in high-stakes postseason play. Maintaining this level of play will be vital for Akina as he aims to sustain his top 5 finish rate throughout his college career.
What happens next
BYU is scheduled to compete in the William H. Tucker Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sept. 25-26, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local athletes and collegiate competition, visit Golf.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BYU Daily Universe.
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