RANCHO MIRAGE: South Korea's Sun-Ju Ahn, in pursuite of LPGA Tour playing privileges for next season, fired a six-under 66 on Tuesday to take the lead at the LPGA Sectional Qualifying Tournament.

"Most of my shots were good today," said the 21-year-old, who posted her score on the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club, one of two courses in use for the event.

"Tomorrow, I change courses, but I will try to shoot a good score. I have confidence for the next three days."

Ahn owns four KLPGA titles, including three victories in 2007. Her best finish on the US LPGA Tour was a tie for sixth at the 2007 Hana Bank Championship played in South Korea.

Six players were tied for second on 69, including LPGA of Japan stars Miki Saiki and Shiho Oyama. Oyama is the top-ranked player in this week's field, at 43rd in the world rankings.

Michelle Wie, who turned to the qualifying tournament after failing to earn enough prize money playing on sponsors' exemptions to secure her spot on the tour, was tied for eighth after a two-under 70.

Wie, 18, notched five birdies with three bogeys. Players are competing on both the Arnold Palmer and Dinah Shore courses at Mission Hills. The final two rounds, which will feature the low 70 players and ties, will be played on the Dinah Shore course.

The top 30 players and ties at the end of 72 holes advance to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida, December 3-8.

A second sectional qualifying event is scheduled for September 30-October 3 at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida.

The top-30 finishers and ties from that qualifier will join the California qualifiers as well as current LPGA Tour members attempting to improve their status and the players who finished sixth through 15th on the final 2008 Duramed Futures Tour money list in the final qualifying tournament.