Marnie McGuire learned two things while playing on the Japanese LPGA Tour: the language and how to win.

McGuire, a New Zealander, won five times on the Japanese tour before relocating to the American version of the women's golf tour.

Today, McGuire shot a 7-under-par 65 to take the lead after the second round of the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic.

At 11-under, she was one stroke ahead of Jackie Gallagher-Smith, Missie McGeorge and Michele Redman.

"The atmosphere in these tournaments is entirely different, because every week you're competing against the best players in the world. I don't think I'll be nervous,'' McGuire said.

"I feel pretty good with the way things went today,'' McGuire said. "A lot of times on the LPGA, because everyone can make good shots, it really becomes a putting contest. I was rolling it really well today."

McGuire shot a 6-under 30 on the back nine of the 6,308-yard, par-72 Avalon Lakes Golf Course, tying a tournament record for nine holes.

She closed out her day by making a 12-foot putt for eagle on the 451-yard, par-5 18th. McGuire needed just 27 putts in her round, only 12 on the back.

McGuire said her decision to join the LPGA Tour last year was an easy one.

"I was the only Caucasian left on the Japanese tour,'' she said. "That makes you pretty lonely, even though I speak the language."

Gallagher-Smith, the co-leader after the first round with Marta Figueras-Dotti, followed her 66 with a 4-under 68 today. Figueras-Dotti shot 71 and was four strokes behind the leader.

Dana Dormann, 1-over on Friday, tied a tournament record with a 64 for 135. The 31-year-old Californian, who has not won in six years, has not finished higher than 21st this season.

Defending champion Se Ri Pak shot a 68 today and was at 137 in a bid for her fourth straight victory in Ohio. She has also won the last two Jamie Farr Classics in Toledo.

Sally Dee is perhaps the most unlikely player within striking distance of McGuire. The 28-year-old rookie had not made a cut in nine LPGA starts, but was at 7-under after a second-round 65.

"It's been a long-time coming,'' Dee said. "I started golf late and didn't take it seriously until my senior year in high school. I always wanted to be a professional athlete, but there was no WNBA when I was growing up. I was heavily recruited for basketball'' in Syracuse, N.Y.

Karrie Webb and Lorie Kane, the only players in the field among the top five on the money list, were also at 137.

The start of the round was held up for 75 minutes as a group of thunderstorms moved through the area. When play resumed the damp greens seemed much easier to approach than in the opening round.

"The course played a lot softer," said McGeorge, who made a 40-foot putt for eagle on No. 18. "The greens were real receptive; they just stuck right there."

Michelle McGann, the only two-time winner of this event, shot a 68 today but, at 144, missed the cuts by two strokes.

Kim Bauer was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.

AP