So much for that U.S. Open hangover. Juli Inkster is halfway home to something really grand.

Inkster gave herself a chance to become the second woman to win the modern career Grand Slam with a 5-under 66 today that gave her a share of the lead after two rounds of the LPGA Championship.

On DuPont Country Club greens that are getting firmer and faster each day, Inkster played bogey-free and was at 134, tied with Liselotte Neumann (67), Jenny Lidback (67) and Cristie Kerr, who tied the course record for the LPGA Championship with a 64.

"My confidence is good," Inkster said. "Who knows what can happen? It's been a lot of fun, and I hope I don't wake up."

Still, Inkster knows a lot can happen over the final 36 holes, especially with the cast of characters behind her.

Kelli Kuehne, the 22-year-old Texan who gave Inkster a spirited challenge in the U.S. Open, continued her amazing run with a 67 and was one stroke behind. Two-time LPGA champion Laura Davies isn't getting much out of her putter, but she still managed an even-par 71 and was only two strokes back at 136. Defending champion Se Ri Pak was at 137.

"I would love a shot come Sunday," Inkster said. "But there's a lot of time between now and then. There's a lot of good players behind me."

Karrie Webb's modern record of 16 consecutive top-10s came crashing to a halt on Friday when she recorded another 1-over 72 and missed the cut by one stroke. It was the first time Webb missed the cut in 32 tournaments, dating to the Standard Register Ping in March 1998.

"I've never really played well here before," Webb said. "It's not the course's fault, I just don't feel comfortable on it."

Only Pat Bradley has won the Dinah Shore, U.S. Open, LPGA Championship and the du Maurier Classic in a career. Mickey Wright also won the Grand Slam when it consisted of the Open, LPGA, Titleholders and Western Open from 1955-1966.

"It's not on my mind right now," said Inkster, who turned 39 on Thursday.

All she is thinking about is fairways and greens, a scrambling par every once in a while, and the kind of scoring that suggests she is up to the task. The 66 on Friday was her 15th consecutive round under par, dating to the final round of the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship the last week of April.

Inkster made birdie on two of the first three holes with 15-foot putts, then held it together by saving par from the bunker with an 8-foot putt. She joined the leaders with a 7-iron to 20 feet on No. 17 for her fifth birdie of the day.

"I don't know how it can get any better," she said. "I can't explain it. I don't know what I'm doing differently, but it just all seems to be working."

Inkster was in about the same position three weeks ago after two rounds of the U.S. Open at Old Waverly -- tied for the lead after the second round with several players close on her heels. She had a 67 in the third round and wound up winning by five strokes.

"All it takes is one hot person," she said.

Maybe Kuehne will be up to the challenge this time. She was paired with Inkster in the final round at Old Waverly and put a scare into her by looking at eight birdie putts on the front nine but making only one of them.

If Inkster is the hottest player in women's golf, Kuehne isn't too far behind. Once she jump-started her season -- her career, for that matter -- during an important swing through Texas, Kuehne has been living up to her billing as the female version of Tiger Woods.

She won the LPGA Corning Classic. She nearly won the Open. And here she is again, whistling and singing and belting it down the middle, making all the important putts and most of her birdie chances.

"I'm a whole lot more relaxed this year," Kuehne said. "I think that's pretty evident."

Kuehne is one stroke out of the lead and $20 poorer. She usually has a standing bet with Kerr, her buddy the past 10 years since their junior golf days, on who will post the lower round. Kerr helped her odds with eight birdies during her morning round.

She used to win as often as Kuehne as a junior, but never the big events, such as the U.S. Amateur. And Kerr has yet to win on the LPGA Tour.

Still, she saw the first two rounds as a sign of things to come.

"I think it's going to be a rivalry for a long time," she said.

DIVOTS: Juli Inkster celebrated her 39th birthday by taking her two daughters to the pool and having a small party at the home of friends. That family has five children. "We had kids out the ying yang last night. They were everywhere," she said. "I seem to play better when it's hectic." ... Kelli Kuehne's fiance and Cristie Kerr's boyfriend were roommates at the University of Texas. Kerr is supposed to be in Kuehne's wedding, and they looked at dresses during a charter flight from the Corning Classic to the U.S. Open. ... Inkster has yet to make a birdie on any of the three par-5s at DuPont Country Club. ... Se Ri Pak is still looking for a swing coach, but she did work with Karen Palacios on Tuesday. She first met Palacios while training under David Leadbetter.

AP