Kono, Kaneko struggle in debut on LPGA tour

Melbourne, Australia >> Stephanie Kono and Ayaka Kaneko of Hawaii had a rough time as they debuted as LPGA Tour members.

Kono opened Thursday with a 78 and followed up today with a 92, leaving her certain to miss the cut at the Women’s Australian Open. Kaneko shot an 80 in the first round. Her second round was not done at press time, but she was all but assured of also missing the cut.

American Stacy Lewis and Australia’s Sarah Kemp shared the lead at 4-under 69, leaving top-ranked Yani Tseng a stroke back with two others in her bid to win the event for the third straight year.

Lewis, the Kraft Nabisco winner last year, had six birdies and two bogeys in the LPGA Tour opener at historic Royal Melbourne, the 2011 Presidents Cup venue that is hosting a women’s professional event for the first time.

"I fell in love with place the first time I played it," Lewis said. "You have to be so creative and hit so many different shots. I love that."

Kemp had a bogey-free round.

"I love it. It’s tops," Kemp said about the course. "I can see why it is Australia’s best golf course."

Only 22 of the 156 players broke par.

American teen star Lexi Thompson opened with a 74. Fourteen-year-old New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko also had a 74.

Hannemann jamboree this Saturday

The 19th annual Mufi Hannemann Basketball Jamboree, which features the top female players in the state, will be held Saturday at Manoa Recreation Center gym.

Sixteen teams in three divisions will compete in the daylong event, starting at 9 a.m. The divisions are 12-under, 14-under and high school/college alumnae.

The public is invited and admission is free. Donations are welcome, with proceeds going to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.

Among the players in the high school/college alumnae division are Nani Cockett, Brandy Richardson, Keisha Kanekoa, Ana Viena-Lota, Mai Ayabe and Aritta Lane.

Hilo softball sweeps Cal State Stanislaus

Amber Waracka pitched 62⁄3 solid innings and Nicole Alconcel scored twice as host Hawaii-Hilo beat Cal State Stanislaus 4-1 to complete a softball doubleheader sweep Thursday.

Waracka allowed five hits and one run, and struck out six. Ashley Nelson recorded the final out for the save.

In the first game, Nelson pitched a three-hitter and Aisha Sueda drove in two runs as Hilo beat CS Stanislaus 2-1.

Hilo improved to 3-1; CS Stanislaus dropped to 4-7.

OIA White hoops schedule switches

Two Oahu Interscholastic Association White boys basketball playoff games have been moved to Saturday.

The McKinley at Kalaheo and Farrington at Aiea games were originally scheduled for today. Both games will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The switches were needed because there weren’t enough game officials because the girls state basketball tournament is being held concurrently.