Strong Start

Former University of Denver golfer Kimberly Kim shot a 4-under-par 68 and shares 10th place out of 347 players after Thursday’s opening round of Stage I of LPGA Tour qualifying in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Kim (pictured), the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion who played on the LPGA Tour in 2011, made six birdies and two bogeys on Thursday. She trails co-leaders August Kim and Kristina Merkle by two with three rounds remaining.

Also breaking par on Thursday was former University of Colorado golfer Alexis Keating, who made three birdies in a round of 70 that leaves her tied for 20th place.

The top 90 finishers and ties after Sunday’s fourth round will advance to Stage II of the three-stage LPGA Tour qualifying process.

The scores and positions of players with strong Colorado connections competing in Rancho Mirage:

10. Former DU golfer Kimberly Kim 68
20. Former CU golfer Alexis Keating 70
88. Samantha Stancato of Colorado Springs 73
88. 2015 CWGA Match Play champion Paige Spiranac 73
161. Former CSU golfer Betsy Kelly 75
193. Lindsay McGetrick of Highlands Ranch 76
279. Former CU golfer Jamie Oleksiew 79
279. Former DU golfer Isabel Southard 79

For all the scores, CLICK HERE.