Punahou's Stephanie Kono was the last to qualify for match play today in the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links at Kearney Hills Golf Links at Lexington, Ky. Advertiser library photo

"It was an exciting match," Kono said in a story at the tournament's Web site. "I haven't won too many matches being the underdog or being the lower-seeded (player). This is big for me because this is probably the first time I've ever really won ... being the underdog. But today, I just tried to play steady."

Kono, of Honolulu, faces Felicia Espericueta of Edinburg, Texas, in the round of 32 tomorrow. Espericueta, seeded 33rd, beat Amber Littman of Stoney Creek, N.C., 4 and 3.

Kono, 17, never trailed in her opening-round match, taking a 1-up lead with a par on the par-3 second hole. After Lua, 16, tied it with a par on the fourth hole, Kono took the lead for good with a par on the seventh hole. Kono ended it with a birdie to win the par-4 17th hole and go 3 up.

Earlier in the day, Kono became the last golfer to qualify for the 64-player match play portion of the tournament by sinking 9-foot birdie on the fourth hole of a playoff in stroke play.

"I was ready to go last night," Kono said after the playoff in a story at the tournament's Web site.

Kono finished early yesterday before the two weather-related delays. "I came back to the course at 6:30 (p.m.) and stayed until 9:30," she said. "I really didn't want to wake up too early. But it turned out OK."

Kono was one of eight players who had to return early this morning to vie for the final five spots in match play. She bogeyed the second playoff hole (No. 11) and parred the No. 12 to remain in contention for the final spot with Alexandra Phelps of Albuquerque, N.M.

On the 13th, the fourth playoff hole, Kono used a 9-iron from 120 yards to set up her birdie. Phelps' approach shot went to 35 feet of the flag and her birdie putt fell short by five feet.

Wahiawa's Britney Choy also qualified during today's playoff and was seeded 61st for match play.

See other results by clicking link below:

Kim wins first match at U.S. Women's Amateur Publinx