Kono tied for sixth at Q-School
Punahou graduate Stephanie Kono is tied for sixth, two shots out of the lead, after Wednesday’s first round of the LPGA Final Qualifying School. Kono is attempting to get her card back after qualifying a year ago, then not making any cuts this season.
She opened with a 2-under-par 70 at LPGA International, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Kono started on the back and parred the first two holes, then birdied six of the next seven to make the turn in 30. She was 4 over on the front.
Sacred Hearts grad Ayaka Kaneko is two shots behind Kono and tied for 24th. Kaneko also qualified last year, finishing 15th, but did not make enough money to keep her playing privileges. She had a birdie and bogey on both nines in the first of five rounds.
The field is cut to the top 70 and ties Saturday. The top 40 and ties after Sunday’s final round get LPGA membership. All others in the final stage get Symetra Tour membership.
Kauai to be showcased on golf TV show
Kauai will be the focus of Saturday’s Global Golf Adventure. The show will be broadcast at 9:30 a.m. on KHNL (Ch. 8), prior to the network’s third-round coverage of the World Challenge.
Global Golf Adventure-Kauai is presented by Avis and produced and hosted by NBC Sports and Golf Channel analyst Mark Rolfing, who lives in Kapalua.
Rolfing will visit Poipu Bay, Kauai Lagoons, Puakea, the Prince Course at Princeville and the Makai Golf Club. The show also includes a review of some of the best performances of the 2012 PGA Tour season and a look at the Ryder Cup.
"Two thousand twelve has been an incredible year in golf, culminating with the Ryder Cup, which was truly one of the greatest sporting events I have ever witnessed," Rolfing said. "So I decided we should cap off the year in style on Global Golf Adventure with a trip to one of the most spectacular spots on earth, the island of Kauai."
Amateurs going for another Burns win
The amateurs will try to make it six straight Monday and Tuesday in the 40th annual Gov. John A. Burns Challenge Cup at Mid-Pacific Country Club.
A team of 12 Hawaii amateurs will take on 12 pros in a Ryder Cup-style format. The pros lead the series 23-15-1.
The pro captain is Ron Castillo Jr. and his team includes Kevin Hayashi, Andrew Feldmann and TJ Kua.
The amateur captain is Guy Yamamoto, assisted by Phil Anamizu. Members of the team include Jonathan Ota, John Oda, Matthew Ma and Richard Hattori, who qualified for the Sony Open in Hawaii. Rudy Cabalar Jr. withdrew with an injured hand, giving Brandan Kop the final slot. He is playing for the 33rd consecutive year.
