Kim extends lead to four strokes

Christina Kim followed a record-tying opening round with a 6-under 66 Friday to take a four-stroke lead midway through the LPGA State Farm Classic.

One day after matching the course record of 10-under 62, Kim made three birdies on the front nine to reach 14-under. After getting to 17-under on the back, Kim dropped a stroke with a bogey at the par-5 15th and finished at 16-under 128 at Rail Golf Course.

Cristie Kerr surged into contention, matching her career-best with a 9-under 63 to get to 12-under 132. After three birdies on the front side, she eagled the par-5 15th and added four birdies on the back nine.

Jennifer Rosales moved to 11-under after a second-round 7-under 65. Norway's Suzann Pettersen closed out her round by holing a bunker shot for a second straight 67 that left her fourth at 134.

Lorena Ochoa, coming off a victory at last week's Wachovia LPGA Classic, shot a 5-under 67 and was in a four-way tie at 9-under. Defending champion Candie Kung is in a three-way tie at 8-under.

Kim, a second-year tour player who has tied for sixth twice this year, is on a record pace. Her two-round total of 16-under is the lowest 36-hole score on the tour this year, bettering the 14-under mark posted by Jill McGill last week. The total easily topped the tournament's two-round record of 13-under, held by four players, including Kung.

Kim is also on pace to better the tournament record of 21-under, set by Kate Golden in 2001.

Kim believes she could have posted another 62 on Friday, but the warm weather that followed a 45-minute morning fog delay caused some distractions. She's not complaining about the results.

"I don't really feel much when I'm hitting, and that's a good thing," Kim said. "I'm keeping it really simple."

The 20-year-old Kim, who is looking for her first win on tour, held the lead at one other event. She shot a 65 in the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship, but a second-round 74 knocked her out of contention.

She has missed the cut five times and finished 37th or worst in five other events in 2004.

Kim said the course's wide fairways and few hazards played to her aggressive style. "Life's too short to hold back anything," she said.

Kerr hopes to maintain her momentum in the third round Saturday and said she isn't worried about catching Kim.

"You can't really worry about what anyone else is doing," Kerr said. "Tomorrow's a different day."

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