Associated Press
Friday, April 14
LINCOLN, Calif. -- Juli Inkster pushed the replay button Friday, once again taking the lead after the second round of the Longs Drugs Challenge.
Inkster shot a 5-under 67 and took a one-stroke lead over Carin Koch and Brandie Burton on a calm, mostly sunny day at the demanding Twelve Bridges Golf Club.
A native of northern California who lives in Los Altos, Inkster was playing before a large contingent of family and friends. She matched her second-round total from a year ago when she also assumed the lead for good in going on to win the tournament by four strokes.
Inkster, who is at 7-under 137 for the tournament, said the key to taking the lead occurred during a windy afternoon round on Thursday.
"That 70 felt like a 66 with the way the wind was blowing yesterday," Inkster said. "So I started the day 2-under and
knew if I could get some putts to drop, I could make a charge."
Inkster had four of her six birdies on her back nine, the final one a 15-footer at the par-3 eighth. She mastered the par-5s with a birdie on all four.
Koch, who was runner-up in the 1998 tournament, and Burton each matched their opening-round 69s. Koch had three birdies Friday, while Burton had five.
Burton, who has had two shoulder surgeries the past two years, knows overtaking Inkster won't be easy.
"Juli is always a tough competitor and player no matter what course or what week, but this is going to be a great weekend of golf," Burton said.
Koch, who finished a stroke behind Donna Andrews in 1998, said staying consistent is the key on a golf course that can be unforgiving.
"If you are playing good, you can do well here," Koch said. "But if you're not at your best you can really get into a lot of trouble."
Jill McGill had a 70 and was alone in fourth, two shots behind Inkster.
First-round leaders Cindy Figg-Currier and Rachel Heatherington both shot 74s, eight strokes off their scores on Thursday. They both struggled over the final nine holes and are three shots off the lead.
Kris Tschetter shot a 69 and is alone in sixth place, 3-under for the tournament.
It was another frustrating round for Annika Sorenstam. She had a 73 and is at even-par for the tournament, despite hitting 29 of 36 greens in regulation.
"I'm playing awesome, but with two days to go I'm not in the position I want to be," Sorenstam said. "I'm hitting it as good as I have been and my putts are rolling well. I feel like I should be 10-under par."
Divots
After getting a hole-in-one at No. 8 the first day of the tournament, Barb Whitehead settled for a routine par Friday.
Sally Dee rallied from a first-round 80 by carding a 69 and survived the cut, which was 149.
After opening with a 77, Hall-of-Famer Patty Sheehan shot a 73, missing the cut by one stroke.
Friday, April 14
LINCOLN, Calif. -- Juli Inkster pushed the replay button Friday, once again taking the lead after the second round of the Longs Drugs Challenge.
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| Juli Inkster is in the same position after two rounds as last year, when she won her second title of the season. |
