RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — After taking one round off from her domination of the LPGA Tour to get rested and reinvigorated, Yani Tseng is right back in her usual spot atop the leader board.
The top-ranked Tseng shot her second consecutive 68 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship on Friday, taking a one-stroke lead over Haeji Kang after the second round of the LPGA Tour’s first major of the year.
Lindsey Wright and Sun Young Yoo were third at 6-under, while Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak was three strokes back in fifth midway through the only major event she has never won. Pak shot a 69 to move to 5-under, joined by Karin Sjodin and World No. 2 Na Yeon Choi.
“She’s a force to be reckoned with,” said Wright, who shared the lead with Tseng for five holes. “I think it’s great to have her up there again, but it’s also great to be able to challenge her and try to give her a run for her money.”
Stacy Lewis (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot 71 and was tied for 42nd at 1-over. Karen Stupples (Arkansas State) shot 72 and was also tied for 42nd.
Tseng extended her thorough domination of the women’s game with another round of long drives and steady putting. After finishing the opening round two strokes back, she was leading for the ninth time in the LPGA Tour’s past 10 rounds.
The five-time major winner has won two consecutive tournaments, 3 of 5 and 6 of 12.
“You never get tired when you want to win a tournament,” Tseng said. “I just figured out I’m tired after the last two wins when you come into this week, but after [Thursday], I had a good sleep, and I relaxed a few days, and I think I’m coming back with a fresh focus.” PGA TOUR
Two share lead
HUMBLE, Texas - Brian Davis shot 65 and Louis Oosthuizen shot 66 to share the lead at 11 under par after two days of play in the rain-delayed Houston Open.
The second round was suspended because of darkness at 7:36 p.m. Friday with 70players still on the course.
Houston resident Jeff Maggert was at 10 under, but he had eight holes left to play in his second round. Defending champion Phil Mickelson (70), J.B. Holmes (67), Tommy Gainey (67), and Greg Owen (69) finished their second rounds and were two shots behind the leaders at 9 under.
Bryce Molder (Conway) shot 70 and was tied for 38th at 4-under. Tag Ridings (Arkansas Razorbacks) was 3-over through 13 holes and tied for 133rd at 4-over.
A thunderstorm dumped 11/4 inches of rain Thursday, causing the backup.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Daly in contention
SCIACCA, Sicily - John Daly (Dardanelle, Arkansas Razorbacks) had five birdies and an eagle for a 5-under-par 67 Friday, finishing two shots off the leaders at the Sicilian Open.
The 46-year-old Daly trailed six players, including first-round leader Peter Lawrie, who shot a 72. Lawrie was joined at 8 under by Jamie Donaldson (71), David Lynn (69), Pelle Edberg (66), Maarten Lafeber (68) and Simon Wakefield (67).
Daly battled afternoon wind off the Mediterranean.
“The last 11 holes were very, very difficult.” Daly said. “The winds just got stronger and stronger. You never want to say pars are a good score, but today pars were a good score.”
American Rich Beem, playing in Europe because he has lost his card on the PGA Tour, shot his second 69 to move alongside Daly at 6 under.
Leader board At Mission Hills Country Club, Dinah Shore Tournament Course Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Purse: $2 million Par 72, 6,738 yards Second of four rounds Yani Tseng ....................... 68-68-136 Haeji Kang ....................... 69-68-137 Sun Young Yoo ............... 69-69-138 Lindsey Wright ................ 67-71-138 Na Yeon Choi .................. 72-67-139 Karin Sjodin ..................... 72-67-139 Se Ri Pak ......................... 70-69-139 ARKANSAS Stacy Lewis ............... 74-71-145 Complete scores, 7C
Sports, Pages 20 on 03/31/2012