Augusta earns team and individual titles; host Hawaiʻi records its best finish of the season
KALAUAO, Oʻahu – Augusta University freshman Andries van der Vyver rallied past teammate and fellow South African Peter Rossouw by one stroke Thursday to win the individual title at the 2026 Pearl at Kalauao Invitational on Oʻahu. The No. 2-ranked South African in the Class of 2026 closed the 54-hole event at 5-under-par 211.
Van der Vyver’s victory capped a dominant week for the Jaguars, who placed three players among the top six in the 100-player field, and claimed the team championship by 11 strokes. Augusta finished at 3-under 861, the only team among 17 to finish under par.
Augusta University’s men’s golf team celebrates after being crowned the team champion of the 2026 Pearl at Kalauao Invitational on Nov. 5, 2026 in ‘Aiea, HI.
Defending team champion West Virginia finished second at 8-over.
West Virginia’s Michael Shivers observes his drive on Pearl at Kalauao’s 2th hole during the final round of the 2026 Pearl at Kalauao Invitational on Nov. 5, 2026 in ‘Aiea, HI.
Loyola Marymount placed third at 12-over. The Lions, who captured an Aloha State victory at February’s John A. Burns Intercollegiate on Kauaʻi, continued their strong season with another top-three finish.
Loyola Marymount’s Nateesh Anatha Ganesh hits a driver off the deck on Pearl at Kalauao’s 5th hole during the final round of the 2026 Pearl at Kalauao Invitational on Nov. 5, 2026 in ‘Aiea, HI.
Butler (+22) and Northern Colorado (+23) rounded out the top five.
Co-host Hawaiʻi delivered a strong performance in front of its home crowd, finishing sixth for its best team result of the season. The Rainbow Warriors have improved at each tournament this fall, progressing from a tie for 13th to 12th, 10th and now sixth.
Hawai‘i’s Dane Watanabe hits his second shot on Pearl at Kalauao’s 5th hole during the final round of the 2026 Pearl at Kalauao Invitational on Nov. 5, 2026 in ‘Aiea, HI.
Senior Dane Watanabe, an Oʻahu native and 2023 Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association boys individual state champion, led the way with a tie for 12th. Junior Campbell Kerr of Queensland, Australia, also cracked the top 20, tying for 19th.
Rising star from South Africa
Van der Vyver’s breakthrough collegiate victory adds another chapter to an already impressive young career.
In March, he matched a PGA TOUR record in the Nomads SA Boys U19 Stroke Play Championship at East London Golf Club, joining countrymen Ernie Els and Trevor Immelman as a champion of the prestigious event. His 35-under-par, four-round total matched the record for the lowest score in relation to par in a 72-hole PGA TOUR event, set by Hideki Matsuyama at the 2025 The Sentry on Maui’s Plantation Course at Kapalua.
The freshman also enjoyed a standout 2025 campaign, winning four times, including the All-Africa Junior Team Championship by 12 strokes and the Cape Town Junior Championship with a three-round total of 27-under.
Notable finish
Play on Wednesday was suspended due to darkness, requiring competitors to complete the remaining holes of the second round before beginning Thursday’s final 18 holes.
Rossouw began the day with a one-shot lead at 3-under over teammate van der Vyver, who sat alone in second at 2-under. The Augusta senior, who earned co-medalist honors at September’s Jaguar Fall Invitational in Augusta, Georgia, ultimately finished one stroke behind van der Vyver at 4-under 212.
Augusta’s Pieter Rossouw watches his approach shot on Pearl at Kalauao’s 15th hole during the final round of the 2026 Pearl at Kalauao Invitational on Nov. 5, 2026 in ‘Aiea, HI.
Van der Vyver’s identical twin brother, Nicolas, also competed, finishing in a tie for sixth at 2-over 218.
West Virginia’s Michael Shivers claimed third at 3-under 213. Butler’s Logan Sutto finished fourth at 1-under 215. UT Arlington’s Joseph Hayden rounded out the top five at even-par 216.
UC San Diego, last year’s tournament runner-up, placed eighth, with Cole Kim leading the Tridents to tie for 16th.
Co-host Hawaiʻi Pacific finished in 15th. The Sharks were guided by Jackson Burns, who tied for 34th.
Hawai‘i Pacific’s Jackson Burns recovers from his wayward drive on Pearl at Kalauao’s 11th hole during the final round of the 2026 Pearl at Kalauao Invitational on Nov. 5, 2026 in ‘Aiea, HI.
Mahalo, Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi will open its spring season Feb. 4 at the Amer Ari Intercollegiate on the North Course at Mauna Lani Resort on Hawaiʻi Island.
All team and individual scores can be found here: SCOREBOARD
Hawai‘i’s Campbell Kerr races to beat the sunset on Pearl at Kalauao’s 14th hole during the second round of the 2026 Pearl at Kalauao Invitational on Nov. 4, 2026 in ‘Aiea, HI.
Team Leaderboard
| Place | School | To Par | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 | Rd. 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augusta | -3 | +2 | -6 | +1 | 861 |
| 2 | West Virginia | +8 | +11 | E | -3 | 872 |
| 3 | Loyola Marymount | +12 | +6 | +2 | +4 | 876 |
| 4 | Butler | +22 | +18 | E | +4 | 886 |
| 5 | Northern Colorado | +23 | +16 | +3 | +4 | 887 |
| 6 | Hawaiʻi | +28 | +18 | -3 | +13 | 892 |
| 7 | Wofford | +29 | +15 | +5 | +9 | 893 |
| 8 | UC San Diego | +31 | +7 | +11 | +13 | 895 |
| 9 | UT Arlington | +33 | +17 | +3 | +13 | 897 |
| 10 | East Texas A&M | +34 | +15 | +10 | +9 | 898 |
| 11 | CSU Fullerton | +36 | +28 | E | +8 | 900 |
| 12 | St. John’s | +40 | +23 | +3 | +14 | 904 |
| 13 | Army West Point | +48 | +30 | +9 | +9 | 912 |
| 14 | Air Force | +50 | +30 | +4 | +16 | 914 |
| 15 | Hawaiʻi Pacific | +52 | +17 | +17 | +18 | 916 |
| 16 | UC Riverside | +55 | +24 | +23 | +8 | 919 |
| 17 | Prairie View A&M | +73 | +27 | +24 | +22 | 937 |
Top Individuals
| Place | Player | School | To Par | Rd. 1 | Rd. 2 | Rd. 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andries van der Vyver | Augusta | -5 | +1 | -4 | -2 | 211 |
| 2 | Pieter Rossouw | Augusta | -4 | E | -2 | -2 | 212 |
| 3 | Michael Shivers | West Virginia | -3 | E | -1 | -2 | 213 |
| 4 | Logan Sutto | Butler | -1 | +1 | -1 | -1 | 215 |
| 5 | Joseph Hayden | UT Arlington | E | E | -2 | +2 | 216 |
| T6 | Nicolas van der Vyver | Augusta | +2 | +1 | E | +1 | 218 |
| T6 | Nateesh Anatha Ganesh | Loyola Marymount | +2 | +4 | -2 | E | 218 |
| T8 | Andrew Neal | Wofford | +3 | +5 | E | -2 | 219 |
| T8 | Daniel Bullen | Loyola Marymount | +3 | -1 | +3 | +1 | 219 |
| T8 | Kaelen Dulany | Northern Colorado | +3 | +3 | +2 | -2 | 219 |
| T8 | Ryan Leach | West Virginia | +3 | +1 | +2 | E | 219 |
Who: 18 men’s college golf teams
What: 2026 Pearl at Kalauao Invitational
When: Wednesday, Nov. 4 – Thursday, Nov. 5
Where: Pearl at Kalauao, ʻAiea, Hawaiʻi
Teams: Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy (Army), Augusta University, Butler University, California State University-Fullerton, East Texas A&M University, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Hawaiʻi Pacific University, Loyola Marymount University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Northern Colorado, Prairie View A&M University, St. John’s University, University of California-Riverside, University of California-San Diego (UC San Diego), University of Texas at Arlington, West Virginia University and Wofford College.
About Pearl at Kalauao
Pearl at Kalauao, like a precious momi (pearl), is a hidden gem in Oʻahu’s golfing landscape, offering breathtaking views from Puʻuloa to the Waiʻanae Mountains. Established in 1967 as the Francis H. ʻĪʻī Brown Golf and Country Club and later transitioning to Pearl Country Club in 1975, it has long welcomed both kamaʻāina and visitors. Today, the course continues its legacy with new enhancements, including upgraded clubhouse amenities and short-game practice facilities. Pearl at Kalauao remains committed to sustainable stewardship of the ʻāina, fostering a connection to the land that benefits both the environment and the wider community. Learn more at pearlatkalauao.com.
About Troon
Pearl at Kalauao is managed by Indigo Sports, a Troon company. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company, providing services at locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries. In addition to private, daily fee, resort and municipal golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design and RF DesignStudio, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit Troon.com.
Media Contact
Ed Kageyama
(808) 487-2460
ekageyama@pearlatkalauao.com
