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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, June 27, 2009

Shin leads; Wie four back


Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Michelle Wie played 12 holes before bad weather halted the LPGA Wegmans.

DON HEUPEL | Associated Press

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — South Korean star Jiyai Shin, seeking her fifth win in 11 months, shot a 4-under-par 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 five hours, then called off at 8:37 p.m. (EDT) as darkness fell. In all, 71 players will complete their second round this morning.

Morgan Pressel, who represents Kapalua, was in second place at 8 under through 13 holes. That was one better than Kristy McPherson on the same hole, Honolulu's Michelle Wie through 12 holes and Stacy Lewis through 14 holes.

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 and was in the clubhouse at 7-under 137.

Wie got off to a fast start, shooting a 4-under 31 on the front nine with four birdies. She parred her first three holes of the back nine before play was called.

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.

The $2 million tournament drew 18 of the season's top 20 money winners, including No. 1 Cristie Kerr, who was at 1 under through 12 holes. Absent is Lorena Ochoa, the world's top-ranked player, and Suzann Pettersen, the runner-up here last June.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

FUNK IN DICK'S SPORTING LEAD

ENDICOTT, N.Y. — A little more rain didn't faze Fred Funk.

Four days after trudging around rain-soaked Bethpage Black to a last-place finish at the U.S. Open, Funk shot an 8-under 64 yesterday to gain a two-shot lead over Jay Haas and Lonnie Nielsen in the rain-delayed first round of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open.

It was Funk's best round on the Champions Tour since a 63 in the 2008 season-opening MasterCard Championship at Hualalai in Hawai'i.

Tom Kite, D.A. Weibring, Gary Hallberg and Andy Bean were tied at 5 under, while Joey Sindelar, Larry Mize, Jeff Sluman, Hal Sutton, Brad Bryant and Tom Jenkins were another shot back.

A band of thunderstorms halted play for nearly four hours in the afternoon, and 24 players will have to complete their rounds today. Among them are Mike Hulbert, who was at 6 under through 17 holes and Jeff Roth, 5 under through 12.

Funk, who has top-seven finishes in his last three Champions Tour events, nearly finished before the rain struck and was undeterred after the long delay, hitting an 8-iron to 20 feet and sinking a birdie putt at 18.

"It's like a breath of fresh air to come here. It was a long, long week," said Funk, who at 53 is the oldest player to qualify for the U.S. Open and excelled despite a sore right knee and aching left shoulder. "I can reach every hole in regulation, I think."

PGA TOUR

PERRY LEADS WET TRAVELERS

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

Perry, who tied the course record yesterday, said he actually hit the ball better yesterday, but lost his touch with the putter. He had just three birdies despite hitting 16 greens and is at 11-under 129

Ryan Moore shot a 65-131 to move into second place.

Severe weather left 73 golfers — including Castle High alum Dean Wilson, who was 2-under overall and even after eight holes — still on the course. They will finish their rounds this morning. The projected cut is 3-under.

EUROPEAN PGA

GOOSEN TOPS BMW OPEN

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

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.

David Drysdale of Scotland had the lowest round of the day, a 64, and is tied with Nick Dougherty of England (65) at 134.