Beth Bader & Young Kim lead at halfway - LPGA Corning Classic 2007

The fifth-year player from South Korea shot an 8-under 64 on Friday and was one shot behind second-round leader Beth Bader as both women chased their first career victories on the LPGA Tour.

"Before today, I don't like this course because (it's) too narrow and (has) too small greens," said Kim, whose 12-under total included one eagle, 10 birdies, 25 pars, and no bogeys. "Now, every shot gives confidence to me, so I'm feeling good."

Paula Creamer (68) was third at 10 under, one shot ahead of Mi Hyun Kim (67) and Becky Morgan (66). Natalie Gulbis (67), Jamie Hullett (70), Diana D'Alessio (69), In-Kyung Kim (69), and Jean Bartholomew (68) were 8 under, and first-round leader Charlotta Sorenstam (73), Japan's Ai Miyazato (69), and Alena Sharp (63) were among seven players at 7 under.

Bader also had a bogey-free round on Thursday, and when her string of success ended Friday with a bogey on her 30th hole of the tournament she never flinched, finishing with a 6-under 66.

"Actually, I was a little bit relieved," said Bader, who was at 13-under 131 to tie the 36-hole tournament record set three years ago by Michelle Estil. "It set my mind at ease."

A 45-minute weather delay at midafternoon created gusting wind midway through Bader's round. She had just completed No. 1 when lightning moved into the area, and after play resumed she birdied four of her final five holes to offset a second bogey.

Bader completed the round by sinking a 12-foot birdie putt at No. 9 after her drive clipped a tree and landed in the first cut of the right rough. That gave her 15 birdies over the first two rounds and a spot atop the leaderboard.

"I got lucky," she said. "I feel very good about coming back and shooting that score. I have had a few first-round leads and haven't played well the second day. I'm in uncharted territory a little bit. It's still a learning experience for me. I know it's my seventh year out here, but any time you flirt with the lead for a while, you always get to learn something from it, good or bad."

Playing in a threesome with Creamer, Young Kim completed her second straight bogey-free round as the narrow, tree-lined Corning Country Club course yielded birdie after birdie on another day of hazy sunshine with temperatures approaching 90 degrees.

"I just played my game," said Kim, whose strong iron play helped her get through the round with just 26 putts. "This is day two. I'm proud of myself."

If not for a few slips with her putter and driver, Creamer might have the lead. She failed to break par on the two easiest holes on the course, three-putting for par at No. 2, a 445-yard par 5, and also parring the 449-yard fifth hole, another par 5, after hitting a tree off the tee. She also had a three-putt for bogey from 18 feet off the front fringe at the par-3 15th.

It was a wonder she still managed a big smile.

"You have to birdie those holes because those are easy birdie holes," said the 20-year-old star, who finished her round with a 9-foot birdie putt at No. 9. "It was kind of an up-and-down day. It's just one of those days. I don't feel like I played my best at all, and I shot 68. I'll take that."

The Kims, who entered the day tied with 11 other players at 4 under, each shot 32 on the back side. But Mi Hyun Kim bogeyed No. 1 to fall to 7 under, while Young Kim reeled off three birdies in a four-hole span to take sole possession of the lead at 11 under.

Young Kim, who started on the back nine, rolled in a 3-foot birdie putt on her final hole to finish one stroke off her personal best and move into contention for that breakthrough victory.

"Before the 15th hole, I didn't think of my score," said Kim, who sank a 21-foot birdie putt on the hole to reach 7 under. "Then after I think, 'Wow! I had a good score today."'

Lightning and rain halted play a second time just before 7 p.m., but the 15 players still on the course finished after a 58-minute stoppage.