Honolulu's Stephanie Kono reached the quarterfinals with two victories today at Kearney Hill Golf Links in Lexington, Ky. Advertiser library photo

"I started playing well in the playoff for the last (match play) spot," Kono said. "I'm just trying to take it one match at a time. Actually, one hole at a time."

Kono outlasted Mexico's Pamela Ontiveros, 2-up, in the round of 16 this afternoon. Kono trailed just once, when Ontiveros birdied the par-3 eighth hole. The incoming Punahou senior won the next three holes with birdie to go 2-up.

Ontiveros squared the match — for the fourth time — with pars at Nos. 13 and 15. Kono rallied again, winning the 17th with par and clinching the win with birdie on the par-5 closing hole.

Kono was 1-under for the round.

Earlier in the day, she won her second-round match by a 2-and-1 score over Felicia Espericueta of Texas. Kono upset top-seeded Tiffany Lua in the opening round Wednesday.

Hawai'i had nine players qualify for Publinx, with seven advancing to match play and three getting through the first round. Pearl City's Mari Chun and former Hilo resident Kimberly Kim fell in this morning's second round.