Honolulu's Stephanie Kono surged into the lead with a 5-under-par 66 in yesterday's first round of the Westfield Junior PGA Championship, in Westfield Center, Ohio. Kono finished fourth at this tournament last year. She led halfway through the 72-hole event.

Kono has a two-stroke advantage over the girls field going into today's second round. Pahoa 13-year-old Kimberly Kim is six shots back and tied for fifth. Honolulu's Chan Kim is 12th in the boys field after opening with an even-par 71. Joe Monte leads after tying a first-round record with a 65.

Kono, who will be a Punahou sophomore this fall, birdied her first three holes and drained a 50-foot birdie putt on the ninth to make the turn in 32. She reached the green in two shots on both par-5s on the back and two-putted for her final two birdies. She had one bogey and hit 15 greens in regulation.

Kono characterized the course as relatively short (5,759 yards, 6,530 for boys), but "challenging." Last year's experience served her well.

"I know where to hit it and where to take chances and I know where not to hit it, especially," Kono said. "That's more important than knowing where to hit it."

Westfield is the PGA of America's national championship for boys and girls ages 17 and younger. The 111 contestants are division champions from each of The PGA of America's 41 sections as well as special invitees. The Golf Channel will present a highlight show Sept. 1.

JUNIOR WORLDS

HONOLULU'S KANEKO THREE BEHIND LEADER

Honolulu's Ayaka Kaneko shot an ever-par 74 and is tied for fourth in the girls 15-17 division after the second round of the Junior World Golf Championships yesterday in San Diego.

Kaneko's total of 145 is three strokes behind leader Maiko Wakabayashi of Japan.

Hilo's Whitney Ueno fell to an eight-way tie for 12th after a 9-over-par 83.

LEADER AND HAWAI'I GOLFERS

BOYS

15-17: 144—Pavit Tangkamolprasert, Thailand. Also: 149—Alex Nakao, Honolulu; Kellen Watabu, Kapa'a. 13-14: 138—Richard Lee, Canada. Also: 147—Taeksoo Kyung, Wailuku. 149—Bradley Shigezawa, Honolulu. 9-10: 121—Taylor McCullum, Hoover, Ala. Also: 136—Joshua Roland DeFreitas, Wai'anae. 137—Skye Inakoshi, Honolulu. 139—Ryan Lloyd, Kapolei. 7-8: 116—Joshua Martin, Wilson, N.C. Also: 126—Bryan Kelly, Honolulu. 126—Donny Hopoi, Honolulu. 6-under: 116—Issei Tanabe, Japan; Norman Xiong, Guam; Brandon Kewalramani, Simi Valley, Calif. Also: 131—Trevor Kua, Lihu'e.

GIRLS

15-17: 142—Maiko Wakabayashi, Japan. Also: 145—Ayaka Kaneko, Honolulu. 150—Whitney Ueno, Hilo. 154—Christine Kim, Pahoa. 156—Britney Choy, Wahiawa. 13-14: 141—Nichapat Kongpaisarnnatee, Thailand. Also: 149—Hayley Young, Honolulu. 11-12: 140—Mariko Tumangan, San Jose, Calif. Also: 149—Kelli Oride, Lihu'e. 152—Kyung Kim, Wailuku. Failed to qualify: Marissa Chow, Honolulu. 9-10: 120—Alison Lee, Los Angeles. Also: 140—Taylor Viquelia, Waimea. Failed to qualify: Kacie Komoto, Honolulu; Amanda Lerma, Kea'au; Alexandra Kaui, Waipahu. 7-8: 118—Marijosse Navarro, Mexico. Failed to qualify: Allisen Corpuz, Kapolei; Ayumi Sakamoto, Honolulu.