In the long history of the Utah Open dating back to 1926, only five amateurs have been victorious at the venerable tournament, whose list of winners includes many of the state’s top players over the years.

If things continue as they have the first two days at this year’s tournament, sponsored by Larry H. Miller, another amateur could find himself holding the trophy at the end of 54 holes.

Nineteen-year-old Kihei Akina, who will be a freshman on the BYU golf team this fall, fired a 7-under-par 65 Saturday at Riverside Country Club in Provo, which along with his 66 the previous day gives him a 131 total and a one-stroke lead over another amateur, Cole Ogden, going into Sunday’s final round.

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The 33-year-old Ogden is a former BYU golfer who won the Utah State Amateur in 2013. In Friday’s first round, he shot 65 with a 29 on the back nine and came back with a 67 Saturday.

Two other amateurs are lurking. First-day leader Simon Kwon, a senior at BYU, stands at 134 after a 70 on Saturday and tied for fourth, while 19-year-old Boston Bracken of St. George, who will be playing for Arizona State, is tied for fifth at 135.

Brady McKinlay, a 24-year-old from Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, who played collegiately at Utah Valley, is the top professional. He is in third place at 133 after a 67 Saturday.

Pros Spencer Wallace of St. George and Kirby Coe-Kirkham of Sheridan, Wyoming, are tied with Bracken at 135.

Former University of Utah golfer Blake Tomlinson, who won the Utah Open in 2022, is tied for eighth at 136 with Las Vegas pro Jhared Hack.

Akina started strong Saturday morning with a birdie at No. 1 and an eagle-2 at No. 2 and added birdies at 5 and 6 before making his only bogey of the day at the 9th. Then he added three birdies on the back side at 13, 15 and 16.

“I feel comfortable with my game right now,” said Akina, who played in several out-of-state tournaments this summer.

As for how he’ll approach being the leader going into the final round, he said, “Just be loose and have fun. It’s just another round of golf.”

Former champion Zach Johnson (2013) stands at 137 along with Utahns Carson Lundell, Steve Schneiter, Zac Jones and amateur Brandon Robison.

Former champions include Derek Fribbs (2021, 2024) at 138, Zac Blair (2023) at 140, Clay Ogden (2007, 2011) at 141, Zahkai Brown (2016) at 142, Pete Stone (2006) at 144 and Todd Demsey (1998) and BJ Staten (2014) at 145.

The tournament had a lightning delay just after 5 p.m. Saturday, but golfers got back on the course after 35 minutes. The cut, for the low 60 scores and ties, came at 1-over-par 145.

Utah Open leaders

131 – a-Kihei Akina (66-65)

132 – a-Cole Ogden (65-67)

133 – Brady McKinlay (66-67)

134 – a-Simon Kwon (64-70)

135 – a-Boston Bracken (67-68), Kirby Coe-Kirkham (69-66), Spencer Wallace (67-68)

136 – Blake Tomlinson (67-69), Jhared Hack (69-67)

137 – Carson Lundell (70-67), Zach Johnson (65-72), Steve Schneiter (69-68), a-Brandon Robison (66-71), Zac Jones (67-70)

138 – Matt Baird (67-71), a-Bowen Mauss (69-69), Derek Fribbs (68-70), Cole Ponich (70-68), Braxton Watts (71-67), Martin Leon (69-69), Josh Anderson (71-67)