Wong continues recent tear, holds off Wang for Manoa Cup women's title (2024)

HONOLULU — In addition to the bags she packs for Spokane, Wash., Jasmine Wong will bring a formidable run of success into life’s next chapter.

She won the Interscholastic League of Honolulu individual championship by 11 strokes and followed that up by becoming Iolani School’s first individual girls state champion in May.

On Friday, she added state amateur match-play champion to her ledger.

Wong, who days ago celebrated graduation, continued her recent tear through the Hawaii golf scene by defeating Rachael Wang, 3 and 1, for the Manoa Cup women’s championship at Oahu Country Club on Friday.

[Note: See below for more photos of the Manoa Cup women's final.]

“I’m so happy for all the events that’s happened, but … without God, without people helping me, I would not have gone this far,” Wong told Spectrum News at the OCC clubhouse, before she was given the traditional toss into the club’s pool. “I’m really excited for college (at Gonzaga) and I can’t wait. I just gotta thank the people that are here first, before I go.”

Wong battled back and forth with Wang, a Kalani High alumna and rising junior at Santa Clara, before claiming a 3 up lead through 15 – forcing Wang to win the last three holes to get to a playoff.

After Wang got in for par on the 16, Wong missed a knee-knocker of a 3-footer for the win – keenly aware of the wind and media that buffeted the green.

“I would say on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the most nervous, it was definitely like an 8.5,” said Wong, who backed off of her putting stance twice.

Wang hit a great drive and chip to within 8 feet on the par-4 No. 17, keeping the pressure up on Wong, who drove the green but saw her ball dribble downhill off the left side.

Wong chipped up to within 10 feet for a winning birdie opportunity. This time, the nerves would not get to her. Caddie Brian Pang made a great read, she said, and all she had to do was follow it.

“Once I saw it (rolling), ‘that’s going in,’ and I felt this surge of joy,” Wong said. Wang picked up her ball and gave her a congratulatory hug.

Wang had not made it past the first round in her three previous Manoa Cup appearances.

“It was feeling pretty good while I was going out there in the beginning,” said Wang, who won the first hole for her only lead but squared the match as late as No. 11. “I just wanted to stay consistent, try not to overthink about anything. Definitely could’ve dropped more putts. … But I think Jasmine did great (to) be able to make a lot of putts.”

Wong embraced Pang, her family and friends who’d followed her in a gallery. Some were eliminated Manoa Cup competitors like Alexa Takai, Kira Uno and Mariko Yonemura.

“I really appreciate them for coming out, waking up early to go and see me,” she said.

She gave particular thanks to her mentor, Manoa Cup veteran Brandan Kop, a four-time champion who continues to compete with the youngsters at age 63.

Kop, who helped toss his protégé in the pool, said Wong is one of three girls junior players who has outdriven him on all 12 OCC drivable holes in a round. He noted Wong hit a 340-yard bomb on a par 5 earlier in the week.

The progression of Wong’s mental game is what’s allowed her to flourish of late, he said.

“This tournament, she kept the ball in play,” Kop said. “(Didn’t) get too upset, and (kept) even keeled. She controlled her mind. That’s golf. The best players can control their mind. … She can be unstoppable. She just hits the ball so far.”

It was the eighth edition to feature a women’s champion.

It was a competitive draw with 31 entrants; 2022 winner and two-time HHSAA champion Raya Nakao missed the 16-player cut in Monday’s qualifying round.

“Next year they’ll probably get 40,” Kop said. “Just the growth of girls golf, and the talent; I play with all those guys. It’s interesting. Each year they get better and better. They hit it farther. Their irons are better. People who don’t play with them don’t realize, but they’re pretty amazing.”

In the Manoa Cup Open bracket, defending champion Joshua Hayashida prevailed in Friday’s quarterfinal morning round against fellow University of Hawaii teammate Kolbe Irei, 5 and 4. Zachary Sadayaga beat Spencer Shishido, 2 up, Anson Cabello outlasted Tyler Ogawa, 1 up, and Kihei Akina beat Isaiah Kanno, 2 and 1.

Hayashida faced Sadayaga in the first of Friday afternoon’s Open semifinals while Akina battled Cabello.

Brian McInniscovers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii.He can be reached atbrian.mcinnis@charter.com.