NESHANIC STATION, N.J. - University of Idaho sophomore-to-be Leilanie Kim put her putter to work, trimmed six strokes off her opening-round score and qualified for the match play phase of the USGA Public Links Championship at Neshanic Valley Golf Course.

Kim shot a 77 during Monday's opening round before turning in a one-under 71 Tuesday for a 36-hole 148 and a tie for 54th in the 156-player field.

Kim now will play in the match play phase, which pits players in head-to-head competition to determine the national champion. Match play begins Wednesday and concludes Saturday.

Lisa McCloskey of Houston, Texas, had the low round of the stroke play with a 137 over the par-72, 6,176-yard course.