Kono tied for fifth at Women's Publinx

Two other Hawaii golfers advance to match play, and a fourth has a shot

PUEBLO, Colo. » Three Hawaii golfers advanced to today's 2006 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship match play, and a fourth could join them when stroke play resumes today.

Stephanie Kono of Honolulu shot a 4-under 68 in yesterday's second round and sat in a tie for fifth when play ended to advance along with Kimberly Kim (t-21st) of Hilo and Mari Chun (t-25th) of Pearl City. Thunderstorms delayed play twice yesterday, preventing 14 golfers from completing their rounds, including Amanda Wilson of Hilo.

The second round of stroke-play qualifying will wrap up today, with the top 64 advancing to today's match-play round.

Wilson, who opened Tuesday with a 75, was tied for 42nd when play was halted yesterday and likely will make the match-play field if she doesn't lose more than two strokes to par and closes with a 79.

Kono shot a 3-under 33 yesterday while starting on the back nine, then cruised home, closing her day with eight straight pars.

Kim shot a 4-over 76 on the second day to sit at 5 over, while 2005 stroke-play co-medalist Mari Chun matched her opening 75.

Six months after fracturing a vertebra in her neck in a car accident that led to drunken-driving charges against UCLA football player Justin Medlock, 19-year-old Hannah Jun took another big step in her comeback from a serious neck injury, shooting a 1-under 71 for a share of the lead. She matched 16-year-old Mina Harigae (70) at 7-under 137 on the Walking Stick course.

Jun had four birdies and three bogeys in her morning round.

"I had it going, then came back, then I got it going again," Jun said. "It was about average today. I hit both par 5s on the front and three-putted them both.

Kim's sister Christine shot a second-round 84 and is already out of the top 64, in a tie for 75th.

Lori Planos of Kapalua -- a 45-year-old who won back-to-back WAPL titles in 1979-80 -- shot a second-round 77, but finished tied for 92nd. Cyd Okino shot an 81, for the same score, 15 over. Kaneohe's Jaclyn Hilea (82) was there, too.

Wailuku's Kelly Nakashima withdrew yesterday.

Michelle Wie won the WAPL in 2003.