StarBulletin.com

Shin leads wet Wegmans


By

POSTED: Saturday, June 27, 2009

ROCHESTER, N.Y. » South Korean star Jiyai Shin, seeking her fifth win in 11 months, shot a 4-under 68 yesterday to vault into a three-stroke lead at the storm-plagued Wegmans LPGA.

“;I really am happy with my putter—it's really good,”; the 21-year-old Shin said after moving to 11-under 133, a record low at the demanding Locust Hill course in suburban Rochester. “;I would like to keep this feeling through tomorrow and the final round.”;

Play was interrupted by thunderstorms for nearly 5 hours, then called off at 8:37 p.m. as darkness fell. In all, 71 players will complete their second round this morning, including Honolulu's Michelle Wie, who was tied for third, four shots back through 12 holes, and Tiger Woods' niece, Cheyenne, who was battling to make the cut.

Morgan Pressel was in second place at 8 under through 14 holes. That was one better than Kristy McPherson on the same hole, Stacy Lewis through 15 holes and Wie. First-round leader Sandra Gal of Germany, blaming fatigue for a string of wayward tee shots on the back nine, shot a 1-over 73 to drop to 7 under.

Last year, Shin became the first non-LPGA member to win three events. She reeled in the Women's British Open last August, then followed with late-season wins in the Mizuno Classic and ADT Championship. In March, she captured the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore for her first victory as a tour member.

Her steadfast accuracy off the tee box and the fairways got her within 3 feet for early birdies on Nos. 3 and 4. Her only bogey came when she caught a greenside bunker at No. 10. As Gal faltered, she took the lead with an 8-foot birdie putt on No. 14 and widened the gap atop the leaderboard when she birdied from 6 feet at the par-5 17th.

On Tuesday afternoon, Shin spent nearly 5 hours practicing her putting at Locust Hill, a traditional, tree-lined course with compact, undulating greens. “;So it was easy play with my putter,”; she said with a shy smile.

Gal, 24, was a two-time All-American in her three seasons at the University of Florida and the top-ranked European amateur in 2007. In her second year on tour, her best finish was a tie for fifth at last month's LPGA Corning Classic.

“;I'm in the hunt for the weekend, so I can't complain,”; she said. “;I just accept it as it is and move forward.”;

Woods, making her first start on the professional tour by way of a sponsor exemption, was at 1 over through 10 holes. If that score holds up, it might just be enough to get the 18-year-old into weekend play.

Defending champion Eun-Hee Ji was in much more difficult straits: 6 over through 13 holes.

 

Perry in the 60s again

Kenny Perry followed up his opening 61 with a 68 and held on to a two-stroke lead when thunderstorms halted the second round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn.

Perry, who tied the course record Thursday, said he actually hit the ball better yesterday, but lost his touch with the putter. He had just three birdies despite hitting 16 greens.

He and the rest of the morning golfers played through off-and-on showers that slowed already soft greens.

The sun came out for the afternoon, but severe weather moved in just before 4:30 p.m. with 73 golfers still on the course. Play was officially called for the day at 6 p.m.

 

Funk ahead by 2 in New York

Fred Funk is the leader in the clubhouse at the rain-delayed Dick's Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, N.Y.

Funk shot an 8-under 64 to gain a two-shot lead over Jay Haas and Lonnie Nielsen. It's Funk's best round on the Champions Tour since a 63 in the 2008 season opener in Hawaii.

Mike Hulbert also was at 6 under through 12 holes.

Play was halted for nearly 4 hours by thunderstorms and the first round won't be completed until this morning.

 

Goosen getting by in Munich

Retief Goosen of South Africa shot a 4-under 68 for a one-shot lead after the second round of the BMW International Open in Munich.

Goosen stood at 12-under 132 at the Golfclub Munchen Eichenried. Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark trailed by one after a 65. John Daly shot 70 for a 144 total, missing the cut by three strokes.