Turner & Barrett share lead at halfway

Sherri Turner would prefer to be lurking a shot or two back, rather than tied for the lead, as she bids for her first title since 1989.

Turner, who missed most of last year with a shoulder injury, said she expected to be in contention at the LPGA State Farm Classic, but not in front going into the weekend.

``I kind of like flying under the radar, if you know what I mean,'' Turner said.

Winless just as long, co-leader Tina Barrett says she doesn't mind the view from the top.

``I think it's kind of nice to be in the lead, it's kind of fun ... Why not get as much under as you can?,'' said Barrett, 39, who logged her only tour win as rookie in 1989

Turner and Barrett both started the day a shot back Friday, then fired 3-under 69s to get to 9-under 135 as the $1.3 million tournament heads into its final two rounds at the Rail Golf Club.

Barrett opened with a chip-in eagle from about 110 yards on the first hole, and followed with three birdies and two bogeys. Turner carded six birdies, overcoming a double bogey after she hit her tee shot in the water for the second straight day on the par-3 16th.

``I don't know what the deal is ... I told my caddie, 'Tomorrow, you line me up,''' said Turner, 48, who is seeking her fourth tour win.

First-round leader Heather Bowie was a stroke back after shooting 1-under 71 to join Maria Hjorth (67), Liselotte Neumann (65) and Pat Hurst (69) at 8-under.

Hurst had eight birdies to help offset a bogey and two double bogeys.

``I can't think about that. It's over and done with. I got the birdies and will carry that into Saturday and Sunday,'' said Hurst, a three-time tour winner and a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup team that faces the Europeans Sept. 9-11 in Carmel, Ind.

Natalie Gulbis, another Solheim Cup member, and Hee-Won Han are two shots back at 7-under 137.

``If you're within a couple of the lead going into the weekend, that's where you want to be,'' said Gulbis, 22, seeking her first win in four years on tour.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr shot 2-under 70 to get to 6-under 238, tied with six other players three strokes back.

``I didn't hit it well today but I still managed to shoot 2-under, which I think is a testament to how well I've been playing recently,'' said Kerr, who took the top spot on the Solheim Cup team when she won last weekend's Wendy's Championship for Children.

Karrie Webb, a 30-time tour winner who shot 5-under 67 in the opening round, withdrew because of the death of a friend, said LPGA spokeswoman Pam Warner.

U.S. Women's Amateur champion Morgan Pressel, playing on a sponsor's exemption, survived the cut, finishing at 2-under 142.

``There's no holding back tomorrow. It's all or nothing. I'm going birdie hunting tomorrow,'' said the 17-year-old Pressel, runnerup in this year's U.S. Women's Open.

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