Kung continues hot run of form

Candie Kung, coming off her second LPGA Tour win of the year, shot an 8-under 64 Thursday and took a two-shot lead in the first round of the State Farm Classic.

Kung had six birdies, including a 30-foot birdie putt on No. 18, and an eagle in matching her low round of the season.

Hee-Won Han, a two-time winner this year, shot a 66.

Kung has quickly turned into a serious contender in her second season on the tour. She won her second tournament of the season last week at the Wachovia Classic by two strokes over Se Ri Pak and Meg Mallon.

She put fears of a letdown to rest Thursday, despite a sluggish start.

"I was actually a little tired this morning. On the first hole, I was almost falling asleep," Kung said. "But I just kept myself in there playing hole by hole and ended up at 8 under, and I'm happy with that."

Kung and a host of players took advantage of calm conditions in the morning rounds at the $1.2 million Classic, and the par-72 Rail Golf Course's wide fairways and soft greens.

Han, fifth on the LPGA money list this year, missed the cut in the previous two State Farm Classics. She made the turn at even par Thursday, then had five straight birdies on the back nine, including a 25-foot putt on 17.

Michelle McGann, the 1996 tournament champion, Kristi Albers, Leslie Spalding, Pat Hurst and Tammie Green were all at 67.

Spalding briefly had the clubhouse lead -- a bright spot in a season of struggling to make cuts.

Spalding credited extra work on her putting last week, a better attitude and luck with her surprising showing. She holed out from a bunker on the opening hole and shot a bogey-free round.

"That kind of got it started," Spalding said. "It was just a perfect shot."

Brisk winds and hot weather meant little movement on the leaderboard in the afternoon, but more than half the field of 144 shot par or better. Pak, the tour's No. 2 player, shot a 70 and was in a large group at 2-under.

The first-day leaders agreed that although they're in good position, they still need to shoot in the upper 60s the next three days to be in contention.

"Players here are always scoring low and that's been the case over the years," said Shaun Clews, Han's caddy. "Everyone knows you have to shoot 4 or 5 under to have a winning score."

Kung said she missed opportunities to go lower, making six of 11 putts of 15 feet or less. She hopes the weakest part of her game will continue to improve on the Rail's large, undulating greens.

"If I want to win the tournament, I probably need more of that going in," Kung said.

The tournament's last six winners here won for the first time on tour. Defending champion Patricia Meunier-Lebouc is not playing because of a pregnancy-related illness.

State Farm extended its tournament sponsorship through 2006, the company and tour officials said Thursday. State Farm has sponsored the tournament since 1993.

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