Kane well placed for first win

Lorie Kane better hope her near-guarantee of a victory doesn't come back to haunt her in the final round of the Michelob Light Classic.

Kane fired a 6-under-par 66 to take the lead after the second round today. Kane's second bogey-free round at Fox Run Golf Club put her at 10-under for the tournament and gave her a two-shot lead over Rosie Jones heading into Sunday's final round.

Kane, who has never won in her five years on the LPGA tour, was brimming with confidence after her round.

"I'm not going to be a bridesmaid anymore,'' Kane said. "This is not a guarantee that I will win, but I'm going to bring everything I've got. I know I have what it takes to win.''

Kane had six birdies, highlighted by a chip-in from the fringe on the 18th hole. Kane is the only player in the field not to have made a bogey through two rounds of the 54-hole event.

Jones shot her second consecutive 68 to claim sole possession of second place at 8-under. Jones birdied two of her last three holes to shave Kane's lead in half.

"I didn't want her to sleep on a four-shot lead,'' Jones said.

Jones finished five hours after Kane, and she was diplomatic when she heard of Kane's confidence.

"If (Kane) is feeling that good about (winning), then more power to her,'' Jones said.

Sally Dee was in third at 7-under.

The group tied for fourth, a shot behind Dee, is led by Jeong Jang of Korea who shot 65 on Saturday to tie the course record. Also at 6-under is Michelle Estill who shot 68.

Kane, 18th on the LPGA money list, has finished second nine times in her five-year professional career. She finished second in February at the Australian Lady Masters for her best finish this year.

Kane opened the second round tied for fourth and after making two birdies on the front nine, she closed with a rush to seize a commanding lead. She birdied three of her last four holes, including her birdie chip on 18, to distance herself from the field.

"All I'm thinking about is playing solid golf," Kane said.

The final round will mark the first time Kane has held sole possession of the lead entering a final round. Kane finished third in last year's Michelob Light Classic.

"I will not be nervous on the first tee,'' Kane said. "Having the lead on the first tee is an exciting feeling. It's awesome.''

Jones has 10 career victories and thinks her experience will benefit her in the final round.

"I think I have the advantage from that standpoint,'' Jones said.

The first-round leaders, Pat Hurst, Kristi Albers and Rachel Hetherington, had their problems Saturday. Hurst was at 5-under after shooting even par, and Albers and Hetherington shot 1-over 73s to finish at 4-under.

The much anticipated shootout between the top two players on the LPGA money list, Karrie Webb and Anika Sorenstam, never materialized today. The marquee players on the LPGA Tour started the day at even par and finished the second round tied at 3-under.

Sorenstam is attempting to win the tournament for the fourth consecutive year. The previous three tournaments were held at Forest Hills Country Club in nearby St. Louis.

Lightning and rain delayed morning play for 66 minutes.

DIVOTS: Jang equaled the course record set by Michael Campbell. Campbell, who competes on the European PGA Tour, set the mark in the final round of the 1994 St. Louis Open. ... Melinda Daniels-Price had a hole-in-one on the fourth hole. ... Amy Benz withdrew after playing nine holes today, and Liz Earley withdrew before the start of the second round.

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