Kung extends lead to four shots

Candie Kung fought through another slow start and soggy conditions for a 4-under 68 Friday and widened her lead to four strokes halfway through the LPGA State Farm Classic.

Kung shook off two early bogeys and then held off charges from three players to finish 36 holes at 13 under at the Rail Golf Course, where birdies weren't as plentiful as usual because of the poor weather.

Kung, looking for her second win in as many weeks in just her second season on tour, is used to the sluggish starts.

She had four bogeys over her first seven holes in the final round of last week's Wachovia LPGA Classic but eventually won by two strokes. In Thursday's opening round, she started admittedly "sleepy" but blazed to an 8-under 64 under hot, dry conditions.

Kung quickly regrouped Friday during a 25-minute rain delay.

"I just kept playing," Kung said. "I wasn't hitting the ball as well as yesterday, but I kept playing. I told myself, 'There's still a lot of golf to be played for this tournament.' And it all came around for the last few holes."

Steady rain all morning and into the early afternoon dampened the course and most scores, but some players with morning tee times made strong runs to get back into contention.

Jennifer Rosales shot a 67, including a 12-foot birdie on her final hole, to move to 9 under for the tournament. That puts her in position for her first tour win at the Rail, where the last six winners were first-time LPGA champions.

Rosales said she enjoys being a stroke or two back so she can sneak up on the weekend.

"I'm pretty happy where I am right now," Rosales said. "There are still two more days, and it's anybody's ballgame right now."

Rosales is tied with Hee-Won Han, who shot a 69.

Jenna Daniels was fourth at 8-under after a 68, tied with Rosie Jones, whose 65 was a result of clutch putting.

"My putter just started working," Jones said.

Laura Davies, one of the tour's longest hitters, made a long birdie putt on her final hole to cap a 67 and get to 7 under, tied with two others.

Kung saw her first-round lead evaporate almost as soon as she stepped on the golf course Friday afternoon.

She bogeyed the 10th, her opening hole, then dropped another shot at the par-3 11th before parring 12 -- a long par 5 she eagled the day before.

Play was then delayed after steady rain showers left large puddles on some greens and in bunkers.

Kung got back on track with a birdie on the par-4 13th. She then birdied Nos. 15 and 17 and made the turn at 9 under. Kung added four more birdies on the front nine, including the final two holes.

Players said the rain shouldn't affect play much this weekend, but it was irritating.

"It's no fun for us, it's no fun for the galleries," Davies said. "It tends to take a lot of the enjoyment out of it."

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