DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kaua'i's Lehua Wise shot 1-over-par 73 in windy conditions yesterday and was tied for 29th place after the first round of the 90-hole LPGA Tour qualifying tournament.

Honolulu's Ayaka Kaneko shot a 77 and was tied for 77th place, while Dorothy Delasin, who represents Turtle Bay Resort on the LPGA Tour, struggled to a 90 and was last in the 105-player field. All three played the Legends Course at LPGA International.

Nikki Garrett shot a 5-under 67 for a one-stroke lead over Gwladys Nocera.

Garrett, 25, a two-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, played the Champions Course.

The top 20 finishers will earn Priority List Category 11. In the event of a tie, a playoff will decide the 20th position. Players finishing 21st through 30th will earn Priority List Category 16, and Nos. 31-40 will receive Priority List Category 20.

PGA Q-SCHOOL

HAMAMOTO, COTNER IN BACK OF PACK

Former Hilo resident Jarett Hamamoto will have some catching up to do after opening with a 6-over 78 at the 108-hole PGA Q-School Final Stage at West Palm Beach, Fla.

Hamamoto, who now lives in Chandler, Ariz., played at the Lakes at Bear Lakes Country Club and is tied for 140th in the 170-player field.

Former Hawai'i resident Keoke Cotner also played the Lakes and opened with a 77 and is tied for 127th.

Troy Merritt, who won once on the Nationwide Tour this year, fired a 5-under 67 at the Links at Bear Lakes for a one-stroke lead over Jay Williamson, who was 177th on the final PGA Tour money list this year.

The top 25 players and ties at the conclusion of the tournament will receive 2010 Tour cards, while the next number of players nearest 50 will receive full Nationwide Tour status.