Punahou School alum and incoming UCLA sophomore Stephanie Kono shot a 4-under-par 68 yesterday to earn medalist honors at the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links at Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, Mass.

Kono had six birdies and two bogeys for nines of 33-35. Her two-round total of 6-under 138 was one shot better than 14-year-old Annie Park of Levittown, N.Y., who shot 69—139. Kono is playing in her 15th USGA national championship. She reached the semifinals at this event last year.

Her first birdie came on a 4-foot putt at the third hole. On the next hole, she hit a 90-yard wedge shot to within 6 inches of the hole for another birdie. Her other birdies all came from within 15 feet.

"I hit eight or nine shots to within 10 feet of the hole today," said Kono, one of five Hawai'i golfers from a field of 156 who qualified for the 64-player match-play competition, which starts today.

Also advancing were two-time Hawai'i state high school champion Kristina Merkle (73—145), who turns 18 today, and Pearl City and Stanford graduate Mari Chun (70—145). They tied for 19th. Former Hilo resident Kimberly Kim, who won the U.S. Women's Amateur and finished second at this event in 2006, rallied for a 70—147 to tie for 25th. Lihu'e's Miki Ueoka (73—150), who won three college tournaments her sophomore year at Santa Clara, tied for 51st.

The tournament ends Saturday with a final scheduled for 36 holes. The cut came at 8-over 152. Failing to qualify from Hawai'i were Honolulu's Cyd Okino (77—155, T78), Honolulu's Reiko Fujii (72—156, T86), Wailuku's Kalea Heu (82—169, T139) and Wailuku's Shannon Abarra (87—172, T145).

Hawai'i has experienced success in this tournament with Michelle Wie winning in 2003, at age 13, and finishing second in 2004; Kimberly Kim finishing second in 2006 and current University of Hawai'i coach Lori Castillo winning in 1979 and 1980. Wie remains the youngest ever to win a USGA open national championship.