Figg-Currier & Han lead into weekend

Cindy Figg-Currier took last year off from the LPGA Tour to give birth to her second child.

Now, she's back, and in her first week away from the kids this year was tied for the lead halfway through the Sybase Big Apple Classic.

"Maybe that's it. There's no cooking, no laundry, no getting up in the middle of the night to give a bottle," she said Friday after a 65 left her tied with Hee-Won Han at 8-under 134. "I wish they were here, though."

If 8-year-old Kaitland and 1-year-old Mary had made the trip from Texas, they would have seen their mother come up with a bogey-free round that featured four birdies on her front nine, including a tap-in on the par-5 18th after a 35-foot putt for eagle hung on the lip.

"That was really nice," Figg-Currier said of the round. "But I feel like I left some out there."

Han also didn't have a bogey as she matched the best round of her career to share the lead in the tournament she lost last year in a one-hole playoff.

Beth Daniel, who won last week's Canadian Women's Open, had a second 68 at Wykagyl Country Club and was at 6 under. That lefty her one shot in front of Meg Mallon (67), first-round leader Mi-Hyun Kim (71), Joanne Mills (67) and Vicki Goetze-Ackerman (69).

Suzy Whaley, the teaching pro from Avon, Conn., who will play in the PGA Tour's Greater Hartford Open next week, had a 75 and was at 2 over at 144, two shots better than the cut.

Figg-Currier, whose only Tour win was in 1997, likes playing in the New York City area.

"I try to never miss this tournament because it's a great course and it's New York," she said. "I went to see `Movin' Out' on Broadway last night and I'm heading for the Yankees game tonight to see my fellow Longhorn, Roger Clemens, pitch."

Last year, Han had a chance to win this tournament on the final hole of regulation but missed a 6-foot birdie putt. She lost to Gloria Park in the playoff, and second is still her best finish on tour.

"When she lost last year she said you win or lose sometimes so she let it go," the native of South Korea said through her manager, Saint Kim. "She has had some chances to win.

"At this time, she really wants to win the tournament. The time has come now, so it's time to win, she says."

Han had five birdies Friday, including a 30-foot putt on No. 18, the par-5 used for last year's playoff.

Han is 23rd on the money list, and the 2001 LPGA rookie of the year has four top-10 finishes this season, but is still looking for that first win.

"It's a good position right now," she said. "I want to win."

Daniel has won 33 times in her Hall of Fame career, including last week when the 46-year-old player became the LPGA Tour's oldest winner, ending an eight-year victory drought.

"I actually hit the ball better than I did yesterday," she said. "I started out putting well but on the back nine. I didn't make anything. That was the difference.

"I felt like if I had taken advantage of how I hit it on the back nine, I could have shot a lot under, but just couldn't do it."

Daniel said she "hit a wall" on the back nine Thursday but felt rested in the second round.

"It's been a busy week for me," she said, alluding to the attention her historic win brought as well as a players Board meeting and the pro-am on Wednesday. "I have been doing way too much this week. It's a matter of getting through it and going home next week."

Whaley got as low as 3 under Friday, but she struggled down the stretch, including a double-bogey 6 on No. 9, her last hole of the day.

"Today I tried too hard," she said. "I made the cut against the best women players in the world and will play the weekend."

Whaley drove the ball into a pond on the right side on 9 and then dropped into a hole.

"That's golf," she said of the poor drop. "I rushed the driver. I had a bad 18th and that will leave a bad taste, but I still hit some good shots and made some putts."

Divots: Park had a 67 and was at 139. ... Three players withdrew with injuries Friday: Shiho Katano (hip), Val Skinner (wrist) and Lisa Kiggens (shoulder). None were in contention. ... The final two rounds will be broadcast by NBC, Saturday 2-4 p.m. EDT, and Sunday 1-3 p.m.

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