The 17-year-old Hurst, from Melbourne, Fla., had a 5-under 283 total. Michigan State senior Sara Brown shot a 74 to finish a stroke back, and South Korea's Chella Choi, also 17, was 3 under after a 71.

Hilo's Leah Whiting finished tied for 34th at 7-over 295 after a 77 yesterday. Maui's Shayna Miyajima shot a 76 and was tied for 70th at 301.

Hurst hasn't decided if she'll turn pro or enter college next year.

"Definitely by March or before, I'll know," said Hurst, the AJGA's 2007 Rolex Junior Player of the Year with three tournament wins. "I've been worrying about this for a year and I'm probably leaning toward turning pro, but anything can change. I'll practice and be confident with my decision.

"It's like starting my career. Playing this qualifier and winning it kind of starts everything with a bang. I won it without playing amazing golf and I know I can improve so much. Now I also know where I stand."

A stroke behind playing partner Brown entering the par-4 18th, Hurst hit a 108-yard pitching wedge to 4 feet to set up a birdie. Brown bogeyed the hole after pulling her approach and rolling a greenside chip 40 feet past the hole.

"She can bomb it and she has a good head on her shoulders," Brown said. "Definitely, the sky's the limit for her. I'd be surprised if she goes to college and if she doesn't, I can't say that I blame her. She's ready now."

Brown will wait until after the NCAA tournament to turn pro.

"I hit it really solid, but my putter quit on me today," Brown said. "Still, I'm very happy with the way I played and I'm excited to get back to college."