PROVO — The final season of wildly popular BYU men’s golf coach Bruce Brockbank ended at the NCAA men’s golf championships at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California.
Akina advances to final round
But one BYU golfer continued through Sunday’s cut. One particular freshman, that is.
After adding his third-round score of 71 played on Thursday to first- and second-round tallies of 69 and 70, respectively, former Lone Peak star and Utah Open champion Kihei Akina was tied for seventh on the stroke-play leaderboard to advance to the fourth round.
BYU team performance summary
The 22nd-ranked Cougars finished 18th with a three-day team total of 9-over-par 873 — seven shots past the cut line, and the third team out of the top 12 with ties.
Akina's reaction to cut
“Obviously, I’m bummed out to not be playing alongside my team tomorrow to give ourselves a shot at a national championship,” Akina said in a news release. “I’m in an interesting position where I have more golf to play, so I have to refocus my attention on the round tomorrow and see if I can put out a low one. I am disappointed that I left a few out there for my team.
“I feel like I could have contributed more because I wanted to see our two seniors play at least one more round.”
Senior Simon Kwon's final round
Besides Akina, outgoing senior Simon Kwon — the former Skyline High standout and Cal transfer who is the grandson of legendary BYU alumnus and PGA Tour pro Johnny Miller — added 2-under 70 for his final-round score to finish at 4-over.
Kihei will be playing for the individual national title tomorrow🤙 pic.twitter.com/BQaHVeyxxE
— BYU Men's Golf (@BYUmgolf) June 1, 2026
Breakdown of Akina's scoring
Akina was 6-under after 54 holes, adding a round that included an eagle on the par-5, 622-yard second hole with double bogey on the par-5, 571-yard sixth to a back-nine round of 1-under 35. His officially opening round — played Friday, a day after the Cougars teed off alone to play Sunday’s third round on Thursday due to the university’s religious exemption as the flagship school of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — included five birdies, two bogeys and a front-nine score of 3-under 66 to finish at 3-under 69.
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Coach Brockbank on Akina
“(Akina) has had an All-American type year,” said BYU’s Brockbank , who is set to retire after 34 seasons with the program. “To have a scoring average like he’s had this season is great for him, the golf team and BYU athletics. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a guy put up the performances he’s been having.
“If he has a great day tomorrow, he may be able to track down a national title, which is something nobody has ever done at BYU.”
No. 1 Auburn led the way through 54 holes at 22-under, three strokes ahead of Texas. Vanderbilt was a distant third at 9-under, one stroke up on UCLA, Arizona and Oklahoma State — the Big 12 power led by medalist contender Preston Stout.
“The guys did a really nice job this year,” Brockbank added. “They were determined to accomplish some pretty high and lofty goals. Unfortunately, we just gave away too many shots this week to make that first cut. In order to get into match play, you have to be a little more consistent.
“It may be my last time coaching, but I’m still going to do everything I can to help these kids out whether I’m right next to them or hundreds of miles away. I’ve had a great season with this team, and I’m so glad my last season was with these guys. Great players and even better kids.”
Akina will tee off Monday at 1:53 p.m. MT with Alabama’s William Jennings and Pepperdine’s Willy Walsh for the final round of stroke play. Live coverage of the tournament will air on Golf Channel beginning at 3:30 p.m. MT.
We’re grateful for the Sabbath #gratitude pic.twitter.com/xoQgPSJhea
— BYU Men's Golf (@BYUmgolf) June 1, 2026
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