Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist fired a two-under-par 70 on Friday to seize the lead in the US$2 million LPGA Championship, the second women’s major of the season.
Nordqvist had a two-round total of eight-under-par 136, draining a 36-foot birdie putt at her final hole, the ninth, to move ahead of overnight leader Nicole Castrale.
Castrale, of the US, carded an even-par 72 and was alone in second place on 137.
PHOTO: AP
Australia’s Katherine Hull carded her second straight 69 to claim a share of third place on 138, alongside compatriot Lindsey Wright, who shot 68.
“I was just trying to go out there and have fun and enjoy the day,” said Nordqvist, who is playing her first major championship as a professional.
She made the cut at the Women’s British Open the last two years as an amateur.
“Just a lot of patience, hit fairways, hit greens,” she said of her strategy.
After birdies at 10, 15 and 17, Nordqvist took bogeys at 18 and 4 in stride.
“I knew I was hitting it solid,” said Nordqvist, who sank a nine-footer for birdie at 10, tapped in at 15 and moved two clear of the field with a 12-footer at 17. “I just tried to pace myself and forward to the next holes.”
Several of the world’s top players had a lot of work to do.
World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico carded a 69 and shared 11th place with No. 5 Jiyai Shin (68) and No. 7 Angela Stanford (71) on 141.
Defending champion and world No. 2 Yani Tseng (曾雅妮) of Taiwan notched a 71 for 144 — tied with fellow countrywoman Candie Kung (龔怡萍), US veteran Juli Inkster (71), world No. 3 Paula Creamer (70) and Michelle Wie (74).
Taiwan’s Teresa Lu (盧曉晴) carded 70 for a total of 146, while Amy Hung (洪沁慧) posted 78 for 152.
■ST JUDE CLASSIC
AFP, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
Brian Gay fired a second-round 66 on Friday to take the clubhouse lead as thunderstorms halted the US$6.1 million St Jude Classic.
With play suspended for the day, Gay was in the clubhouse at 10-under 130.
Bryce Molder fired a seven-under 63 for eight-under while Australian Robert Allenby was eight-under for the tournament through 15 holes of the second round.
The horn sounded to halt play with thunder and lightning approaching the area, and officials opted to stop for the day. The second round was to resume yesterday, with the third round to follow.
Two-time champion David Toms was seven-under through 14 holes, while Guy Boros and Wood Austin were both carded 66s to get in the clubhouse on seven-under.
Phil Mickelson was two-under for his round through 15 holes and four-under overall. The American is making his first appearance since announcing his wife, Amy, has cancer.
Mickelson, looking relaxed and even laughing now and then with playing partner Padraig Harrington, narrowly missed two birdie attempts, then saw a par putt lip out on the last hole he completed before play was halted.
He marked his tee ball in the 16th fairway, hitched a lift off the course and hopped into his car to leave before the storm hit.
Hundreds of fans followed Mickelson, who is also slated to play the US Open next week at Bethpage. Many wore pink to show support for his wife as she battles breast cancer.
“The star this week is Phil Mickelson,” said Australian John Senden, who carded a 66 for 135.
The weather delay meant John Daly faced a long wait to see if he makes the cut in his first US PGA Tour event in the wake of a suspension.
Daly’s 68 left him on the projected cut line of even par 140.
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