Davies & Ochoa stay on top

Davies repeated her superb opening round of 66 to share the lead with Mexico's Lorena Ochoa after Friday's second round of the $2.6 million Ginn Open.

At 12-under-par 132 at the Reunion Resort, the 43-year-old veteran was in a confident mood going into the weekend despite not winning on the LPGA Tour in six years.

"It's early days and I would be a mug to say I'm going to anything like a breeze for me on Saturday and Sunday," Davies said. "But I'm feeling great about my game. I've been playing solid golf all year but finishing around 13th, 15th or 20th. The difference so far this week is that I've holed a few more putts."

Ochoa, who was a late starter, birdied three of the final holes to copy Davies' twin 66s, and the pair led by three shots over American Natalie Gulbis, who also carded a 66.

Defending champion Mi Hyun Kim of South Korea is in fourth at 7-under after a 69.

Davies started at the 10th and highlighted her round with eagles at two of the long holes. The first came with a 5-iron and 15-foot putt at the 17th, and then she made three for the second day in a row at the par-5 third where she hit a 2-iron second to 20-feet.

Last year, the former world No.1 won a tournament in Norway and went on to claim the No.1 ranking in Europe for a record seventh time. But it is almost six years since she tasted success in America.

"I've won around the world since then, but I think it's just a little lack of confidence that's stopped me winning over here," Davies said.

Davis needs just two more LPGA victories to become the first Brit to enter the LPGA Hall of Fame.

"I would love to get into the Hall of Fame and I would probably have won more (on the LPGA) if I hadn't spent so much time playing in Europe," Davies said. "I'll be upset if I don't make it. It certainly would be hard to take not to win again it would be a disappointing way to end a long and pretty decent career.

"But you never know when it's going to be your last win so you've got to enjoy them all. But I've got 20 on the LPGA Tour and I still think I can win 20 more."

Ochoa will replace Annika Sorenstam who withdrew with a back injury as the world No.1 if she triumphs on Sunday.

"But I'm not thinking about that yet," said the 25-year-old 10-time Tour winner. "I just want to concentrate on doing well over the next two days."

First prize is $390,000.