Hurst extends lead to six strokes

Pat Hurst refused to let a little wind bother her today, shooting a 4-under-par 68 and building her lead to six strokes after two rounds of the Electrolux USA Championship.

Hurst, who grew up in playing in San Francisco, started the day with a 2-stroke lead. But as others kept struggling to pick the right clubs with winds gusting between 20 and 25 mph, Hurst turned in a five-birdie, one-bogey round for an 11-under-par 133 total.

Cindy Figg-Currier (72) and Michelle Redman (69) were tied for second at 5-under 139. Karrie Webb (67), Jeong Jang (67), Michelle McGann (69), Mhairi McKay (71), and Mary Beth Zimmerman (70) were at 140, and Juli Inkster was among three at 141.

Among the 76 making the cut at 4-over 148 was 17-year-old amateur Courtney Brown of Nashville at 147.

Hurst, whose last tour victory was the 1998 Nabisco Dinah Shore, said the key is concentration.

"As long as you don't get down saying, 'My God, it's windy out here. I can't believe it,' it really makes you concentrate. It makes you think each shot,'' she said. ``You're focusing on each shot because you know you have to.''

Hurst, who went to San Jose University, pointed out that the winds came off the bay in San Francisco every afternoon, helping her learn how to play in less than ideal conditions.

"I kind of like bad weather," she said. "I think it brings out the best in you if you let it."

With 36 holes left, no one is ready to concede to Hurst, playing her best golf since giving birth to her first child last June. Webb rebounded from her second-worst round this year, an opening 73, with six birdies and one bogey, and she could've been closer if she hadn't lipped out a birdie putt on the par-4 18th.

When Webb shot a second-round 75 in January, she wound up winning The Office Depot tournament. Looking for her fifth LPGA Tour victory this year and seventh overall, the Australian said Hurst is playing well and that it is her tournament to win.

"We'll all just be playing chase," Webb said.

With no one closing the gap, Hurst ignored the scoreboard and worried only about her next shot. She credited caddie Dan Wilson with giving her the right club for every shot.

"He's been right on target. That allows you to get close to the hole," she said.

Hurst started slowly on the back nine with four straight pars before taking advantage of the par 5, 545-yard 14th. She hit a lob wedge to 4 feet, setting up her first birdie. Her longest birdie putt came on the par-4 No. 15 after an 8-iron left her 6 feet short.

She ran into trouble on No. 18 when she hit her second shot into the water and couldn't get up and down for only her second bogey through the first 36 holes.

Hurst, whose best finish was a second-place at the Welch's-Circle K Championship earlier this year, said the lead will give her some confidence on Saturday.

"I'm happy with where I am, so I'm not going to get too down on myself if I lose a couple shots,'' she said.

DIVOTS: Five golfers withdrew today due to a variety of injuries, but the worst was Pearl Sinn. She opened with a 78, but had to be carted off the course today when her allergy to fescue grass, which makes up the rough, hit. She had hives so bad that her eyes had swollen shut. ... Dottie Pepper withdrew after a double bogey due to an injured right wrist. Pepper was only four strokes off the lead after an opening 69. Jennifer Feldott pulled out with an injured shoulder, and Sally Dee and Cindy Flom each suffered from stomach flu, which has been sweeping through the tour. ... Susan Ginter was disqualified for signing her scorecard. Her ball moved when she put her putter down on her final hole, and she only penalized herself one stroke instead of two. ... Nancy Lopez, scheduled to have her gallbladder removed on Tuesday, was happy to make the cut despite being 4-over. She said she wants another chance to try and shoot under par.

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