SOUTH BEND, Ind. >> Three Hawaii golfers won their first-round matches at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship today at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course.
Former Big Island resident Kimberly Kim, a two-time runner up, defeated Simone Hoey of Long Beach, Calif., 4 and 3. Kelli Oride of Lihue defeated Shamira Marshall of Macedonia, Ohio, 2 and 1. Stephanie Kono of Honolulu advanced to the second round with a 1-up win over Seohee Moon of Mukilteo, Wash.
Allisen Corpuz, a Punahou seventh grader, lost 2 and 1 to Anna Kim of Canada.
The second and third rounds are scheduled for Thursday. The quarterfinals and semifinals are Friday with the 36-hole final on Saturday.
Qualifying medalist Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand also advanced today. The 14-year-old is trying to become to the second-youngest winner in tournament history behind Michelle Wie (13 in 2003).