My9Iron · Player Bio
Kihei Akina
The Hawaii-born BYU standout became an All-American, Walker Cup player and PGA Tour made-cut amateur during a breakthrough freshman season.
Kihei Akina quick facts
- Status: Amateur; BYU sophomore in 2026–27
- Born: Kahuku, Hawaii
- Hometown: Alpine, Utah
- Height / weight: 5 feet 10 inches / 160 pounds
- College: Brigham Young University
- Major honors: 2026 Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award; first-team All-American
- International team: 2026 United States Walker Cup team
- Equipment: Ping NIL athlete; full-company setup documented for the 2026 Bank of Utah Championship
Who is Kihei Akina?
Kihei Akina is an American amateur golfer from Hawaii who plays collegiately at BYU. His first college season produced two victories, first-team All-America recognition, the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award and a tie for eighth at the NCAA Championship. He also made his first PGA Tour cut, represented the United States in the Arnold Palmer Cup and Walker Cup, and signed a Ping NIL agreement before the 2026 Bank of Utah Championship.
From Kahuku, Hawaii, to Alpine, Utah
Akina was born in Kahuku, Hawaii, and later attended Lone Peak High School in Alpine, Utah. BYU describes him as the highest-rated recruit in program history after he received offers from 50 programs. His junior résumé included three individual Utah state titles, four first-team all-state selections, two team state championships and the 2023 USA Today Boys Golfer of the Year award.
In August 2025, at age 19, Akina won the Larry H. Miller Utah Open. The Utah PGA identified him as the youngest champion in the event’s history at the time, while BYU describes the victory as the youngest by a Utah Open winner since 1934.
An athletic family
Akina’s family has a deep college-sports background. His father, Alan, played basketball at BYU–Hawaii. His brother Keanu played golf at BYU from 2020 through 2024, brother Kawika played basketball at NYU, and sister Kiani played rugby at Harvard.
A record-setting freshman season at BYU
Akina joined BYU for the 2025–26 season and won the R.E. Lamkin Invitational and Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational. His 21-under total of 195 at the Bridgestone event established his listed career-low 54-hole score, and he shot 63 in the final round. He finished second at the Big 12 Championship and tied for eighth at the NCAA Championship.
Across 14 freshman events, BYU recorded a 69.05 scoring average, two victories, seven top-five finishes and 11 top-10s. Those results led to first-team All-America honors from both the GCAA and Golfweek, the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award and the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award.
Kihei Akina on preparation and composure
In this official BYU Sports Nation interview from 04-01-2026, Akina and BYU coach Todd Miller discuss the preparation, mindset and composure required to compete at the college and PGA Tour levels.
PGA Tour appearances and first made cut
Akina’s PGA Tour exposure began before college through sponsor exemptions. His breakthrough came at the March 2026 Puerto Rico Open, where rounds of 68, 70, 70 and 70 produced a 10-under total and a tie for 16th. BYU lists that result as his first made cut on the PGA Tour.
GOLF reported that the October 2026 Bank of Utah Championship was Akina’s fifth career PGA Tour start and third start of the 2026 season. That schedule gave him meaningful professional-level experience while he retained amateur status.
Arnold Palmer Cup and Walker Cup
Akina represented the United States at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Cup and received the event’s Michael Carter “Junior” Memorial Award. He was then selected for the 2026 United States Walker Cup team at Lahinch in Ireland.
During his Walker Cup debut, Akina compiled a 1–1–1 record. He won a foursomes match and halved his Sunday singles match, although Great Britain and Ireland won the competition 13½–12½.
Ping equipment agreement
Ping announced on 09-30-2026 that Akina had signed an NIL agreement. The arrangement covers a full bag of Ping clubs, a Ping golf bag and Ping headwear in tournaments and appearances outside collegiate competition. Because college-event configurations can differ, My9Iron treats the published setup as dated evidence rather than a permanent current-bag claim.
Kihei Akina FAQ
Where is Kihei Akina from?
Akina was born in Kahuku, Hawaii, and lists Alpine, Utah, as his hometown. He attended Lone Peak High School before joining BYU.
How old is Kihei Akina?
Ping identified Akina as 20 years old in its 09-30-2026 NIL announcement. A complete verified birth date was not published in the primary sources reviewed for this profile.
Is Kihei Akina a professional golfer?
No. Akina remained an amateur and BYU student-athlete when this profile was reviewed on 10-03-2026, although he had already competed in multiple PGA Tour events.
What did Kihei Akina win at BYU?
During his 2025–26 freshman season, Akina won the R.E. Lamkin Invitational and Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational. He was also named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and received the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award.
What clubs was Kihei Akina documented using?
For the October 2026 Bank of Utah Championship, Ping and GOLF documented a G440 LST driver, prototype mini driver, mixed i240 and Blueprint S irons, S259 wedges and a PLD Ally Blue H putter. Exact lofts, shafts, iron composition and ball were not disclosed.
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