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A bunch of "5s" left Hawaii’s Britney Yada and Stephanie Kono far back after Wednesday’s opening round of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament Final Stage in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Yada, from Hilo, fired a 2-over-par 74 at the LPGA International Hills Course, with five bogeys and seven "5s" on her card. The 2011 Big Sky Conference champion is tied for 88th with Ha Na Jang, 25th in the World Golf Ranking.
Honolulu’s Kono shot 76, one back of Charley Hull, who is ranked 37th in the world. The former UCLA All-American had eight "5s" on her card.
The field of 154 is cut to the low 70 and ties after 72 holes. The Top 20 after Sunday’s final round get LPGA membership. All who finish 72 holes receive status on the Symetra Tour.
Ching has ace on way to 68
Punahou alum Alex Ching aced the eighth hole Wednesday on the way to an opening round 68 at the $300,000 MDCS: eGolf Tour Championship in Hilton Head, S.C.
Nick Mason, expected to defend his Hawaii State Open championship next week at Mauna Lani, also fired a 4-under 68. He and Ching are four shots off the lead.
Ching had four birdies and two bogeys to go with his hole-in-one. Mason had five birdies and a bogey.
Moanalua graduate Tadd Fujikawa shot a 70 that included five birdies, a bogey and double-bogey.
The 72-hole tournament offers the largest purse in mini-tour history.
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