With birdies on the first two holes, Dalen Yamauchi was the one who looked like a four-time champion playing on familiar turf. After that, the former Waiakea and UH-Hilo golfer was practically home free at the Manoa Cup.
Yamauchi punched his first ticket to the round of 16 at the state amateur match play championship Wednesday, putting away former champion Brandon Kop 5 and 4 at Oahu Country Club. Yamauchi has needed only 26 holes to dispose of his two opponents in match play.
“I think the key is I’m not making mistakes, and when I do they are not that bad,” Yamauchi said of his fourth try at the event.