Davies extends lead to three

Laura Davies carded a one- under 71 in round two and holds a three-shot advantage at six-under par heading into Sunday's final round of the 54-hole Los Angeles Women's Championship.

Davies, who underwent corrective LASIK eye surgery less than 24 hours before the beginning of round one, braved less than ideal conditions at the Wood Ranch Golf Club on Saturday.

"This is a tough course," Davies said. "And, you throw in the wind and rain and it becomes even more difficult. The hands get really cold and that is the biggest problem. I left my gloves in the trunk of the car, so we will have to have them out there tomorrow."

Davies, a 12-year veteran of the tour, notched three birdies on the front nine and two bogeys on the back.

Davies' closest pursuers are Sherri Steinhauer, Tina Barrett, Suzanne Strudwick and 1999 Rookie of the Year Mi Hyun Kim. All four have posted identical rounds of 69-72 and share second place at minus-three.

While Steinhauer and Kim were two-time winners in 1999, the seven-year veteran Strudwick is still searching for her first win on the tour.

Barrett hasn't seen the winner's circle since she won the Ocean State Open in her rookie year of 1989.

The best rounds of the day were had by Kristal Parker, who fired a 67, and Sara Sanders, who shot 68. Parker is tied with Dottie Pepper, Michele Redman and Janice Moodie at minus-two while Sanders is together with six others at plus-one.

Defending champ Catrin Nilsmark struggled to a 76 and is tied with Betsy King, Beth Daniel, Meg Mallon and nine others at three- over.

Rookie Jen Hanna made the cut at five-over despite weathering an eight-over 80.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page