Hou tied for first in LPGA qualifying

Former University of Hawaii golfer Corie Hou is in a six-way tie for first after Tuesday’s first round of the LPGA Tour Qualifying first stage at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Hou fired a 4-under-par 68 with five birdies and a bogey.

Hou leads seven golfers with Hawaii ties at the tournament, which is the first of a three-stage process that determines 2014 membership on the LPGA and Symetra Tours.

Portland State graduate Britney Yada, from Hilo, has a share of 41st after a 73. State stroke-play champion Nicole Sakamoto is another shot back, with Baldwin graduate Shayna Miyajima, the 1999 state high school champ.

Hilo’s Kimberly Kim, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champ, and 2007 state high school champ Anna Jang both shot 77. Kamehameha grad Mari Chun carded a 78.

The 72-hole event ends Friday with the top 100 advancing to Stage II. Stephanie Kono, the 2006 state high school champ who played on the LPGA Tour last year, is in that field.

Rego makes Mid-Amateur Championship

Todd Rego earned Hawaii’s lone spot in the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, firing a 2-over 74 Tuesday at Pearl Country Club.

Brandan Kop (76) is first alternate.

The U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship is Oct. 5-10 at The Country Club of Birmingham, in Alabama.