Heartache turned to hope for Hawaii’s Ayaka Kaneko on Tuesday when she was told by LPGA officials she would have an opportunity to play on the tour this year.

The Sacred Hearts alum tied for 39th at the LPGA’s Final Qualifying Tournament, which ended Dec. 12. The top 40 received category 20 status, which allows golfers to try and Monday qualify, along with possible entry into events that are not full.

But Kaneko, caught in a five-way tie, fell to 41st after a playoff that lasted six holes, giving her no status for 2011. Tuesday’s news, characterized as "thrilling" by the Kaneko family, has her rearranging her schedule so she can play both the LPGA and Futures tours next year.

"I am very excited to have an opportunity to compete at an even higher level than I did in 2010," Kaneko wrote in an e-mail. "The LPGA has extended me a privilege that I plan to make the most of, and in gratitude, I will give my everything to succeed in 2011."

The 20-year-old earned $8,900 on the Futures — the LPGA’s developmental tour — this year after finishing 58th at the 2009 LPGA qualifying. Her best finish was 15th and she made 12 of 17 cuts.

Kaneko got a golf scholarship to Pepperdine but left after an injured wrist prevented her from playing. Kaneko says her wrist still hurts, but much less, and she has learned to cope. She was a 2007 Rolex Junior All-America first-team selection and finished second at the 2007 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and the 2006 Callaway Junior Worlds.

"Playing and winning on the LPGA Tour has been my dream since I was 12," wrote Kaneko, who started the game at that age. "I love golf because of the challenges and possibilities to overcome them that the game brings to me every day."

Former Hilo resident Kimberly Kim tied for 14th at the qualifying to secure full playing privileges. Kim, 19, became the youngest USGA open champion in 2006 when she captured the U.S. Women’s Amateur at age 14. She also reached the final of two Women’s Amateur Public Links.

—Contact Ann Miller at amiller@staradvertiser.com; e-mail sports@staradvertiser.com; or fax to 529-4787