5 Hawaii golfers advance in qualifying

Five golfers with Hawaii ties advanced from the first stage of LPGA Sectional Qualifying on Friday in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Former Rainbow Wahine Corie Hou led the Hawaii hopefuls, tying for 13th at Mission Hills Country Club. The Australian shot a 2-over-par 74 in the final round to finish at even-par 288, 12 shots behind medalist Laura Gonzalez-Escallon of Belgium.

Punahou and Princeton graduate Anna Jang (74—294) also moved to the second stage, finishing with a share of 42nd.

Hilo’s Britney Yada (76—295) was another shot back and Shayna Miyajima (73) and Nicole Sakamoto (77) both tied for 70th at 296. The top 100 advanced.

Kimberly Kim (81—302) and Mari Chun (75—310) failed to finish in the top 100.

This was the first of three qualifying events. Stage II is Oct. 8-11 in Florida and the top 80 and ties advance to the final qualifying tournament in December. Top finishers in the final stage earn 2014 LPGA membership (total number of cards to be determined). All others who make the cut receive Symetra Tour status.

Honolulu’s Stephanie Kono, who played on the LPGA Tour last year, is in the preliminary field of Stage II.