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Posted at 3:27 p.m., Friday, July 13, 2007

Golf: Se Ri Pak opens 5-shot lead at Corning Classic

By CARLOS MONARREZ
Detroit Free Press

SYLVANIA, Ohio — The question has been raised many times over the years. Still, Se Ri Pak swears she doesn't have an answer.

"I don't know," she said with a smile. "That's the thing that people always ask me: 'Why do you play so well? Why you score really well at this event?' I don't know how it happens."

Maybe she should have been a poker player. As the four-time champion of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, Pak is entirely convincing when she speaks of her bewilderment.

Even with all evidence to the contrary.

Her career scoring average at Highland Meadows hovers around 68. And after a three-under-par 68 in today's second round, she appears well on her way to a fifth title in 10 years. She's at 11-under 131 with her closest pursuer, rookie Jin Young Pak, five shots back.

"This atmosphere has always been great," Se Ri Pak said. "It doesn't matter if I play good or bad, but after you play well, that's extra. But as I said, I have halfway to go. I finished first two rounds, just putting a good score. I'm very happy about it."

Jin Young Pak also was happy about her round of 69 and the chance to play in the final group with the countrywoman she grew up admiring.

"She is from Korea and I am from Korea, too. We are both from Korea," Jin Young Pak said. "When she come to Korea for playing in tournament, I always watch her and follow her, 'Oh, I want to play with her.' Tomorrow, I play with her. It's like dreams come true."

It was more like a nightmare for Nancy Lopez and Paula Creamer, the two highest-profile players who missed the cut at two over.

Lopez, who was playing in the fourth tournament of her limited comeback this season, equaled her worst round of the year. She shot 12-over 83 and finished last by three shots at 19 over.

Lopez, who plans to play two more events this season, with the Safeway Classic next on the schedule, struggled with every club in her bag, including a notable lapse with a four-putt from 40 feet on the 10th hole. She sounded as though she lost her swing during the round.

"I was having one of those out-of-body experiences," said Lopez, 50. "I think it just gets to where you think too much about everything you are doing. It's got to become automatic and I just have to keep practicing."

Creamer, who had a first-round 75, shot 71 and missed the cut by two shots. It was the first time since March she has missed the cut. Creamer finished third in the Jamie Farr last year, when she made all 27 cuts.

Meg Mallon had the best round of the day with a 65 and was tied for third at five-under with Carri Wood, who shot 69.

LPGA Kraft Nabisco champion Morgan Pressel shot 70 and tied at four under with Jimin Kang, who had a 68.

U.S. Open champion Cristie Kerr and Laura Diaz both shot 70 and were among seven tied at three under.