The LPGA’s two-week break hasn’t slowed Cristie Kerr, who fired a six-under 66 on Friday to seize a two-shot lead in the inaugural US$1.4 million Bell Micro Classic.
Kerr, who won the Safeway Classic before the break, nabbed seven birdies with one bogey at Magnolia Grove’s The Crossings course on the famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
At nine-under 135, Kerr was two shots in front of Angela Stanford.
Kerr teed off at the 10th and opened with a birdie. She picked up shots at 14 and 16, with her only bogey of the day in between.
Four more birdies coming home, including a 22-footer at No.9 to cap her round, moved Kerr into the lead. She said the wind didn’t bother her too much.
Stanford signed for a bogey-free 67 that included five birdies. She also started her round on the 10th and had two birdies on her outward run. Stanford added three more birdies coming in for a seven-under total of 137.
Australian Michelle Ellias (70) was third at 138, with Reilley Rankin (69) another stroke back.
Anna Rawson and Feng Shanshan, who shared the overnight lead, both posted 73s and were in a group of five at four-under.
Australia’s Rawson birdied three of her first four holes to get to eight-under, but didn’t have another birdie the rest of the day.
In addition, she surrendered four shots over her final 14 holes with two bogeys and a double-bogey at the par-four 11th.
Feng, the only Chinese player on the LPGA Tour, had her second eagle of the week, a birdie and four bogeys.
Paula Creamer, who won on this course last year in the LPGA Tournament of Champions, rallied to make the cut with a 69 that boosted her to three-over.
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