Sakamoto tied for 46th in LPGA Qualifying

Kalani graduate Nicole Sakamoto is tied for 46th heading into today’s fourth round of the final LPGA Qualifying Tournament at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Sakamoto fired a 1-over-par 73 in Friday’s third round and is at 217. Punahou graduate Anna Jang is at 76—223 and former Rainbow Wahine Corie Hou 79—228.

The 153-player field will be cut approximately in half after today’s round. The top 20 after Sunday’s final round earn their LPGA playing privileges next year. The next 20 earn a restricted exemption and all those who make the cut earn playing privileges on the 2014 Symetra Tour.

Galdiano opens with 74 in Taiwan

Punahou sophomore Mariel Galdiano opened with a 2-over-par 74 Friday at the Swinging Skirts World Ladies Masters in Taiwan. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the Taiwan and Korean LPGA tours.

Galdiano, the reigning state high school champion, received an exemption after winning a Junior World Championship last summer.

Four of the top seven players in the Rolex women’s world rankings are in the field, including No. 1 Inbee Park, who shot 63 to take the lead. Scotland’s Catriona Matthew is two shots back and Germany’s Sandra Gal and South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi four back.

Thursday, Galdiano came in second at a skins charity tournament featuring top amateurs from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the U.S. Her $3,600 check went to charity.