Jang Extends Lead; Annika, Wie 8 Back

By Sports Network

SOUTHPORT, England -- Jeong Jang fired a 6-under 66 Friday to stay atop the leaderboard at the Women's British Open. Jang stands at 10-under-par 134, four strokes clear of amateur Louise Stahle.
 
Players were able to complete their rounds at chilly Royal Birkdale Golf Club after stormy conditions -- including rain, wind and chilly temperatures in the 50s -- forced the suspension of play Thursday.
 

Thirty players who were still on the course when play was suspended, finished their opening rounds in the morning. The field averaged a 5-over-par 77 for the first round, but scores were better Friday and the cut was set at plus-5.
 
"The conditions were awful yesterday. You know, 1 over yesterday felt like a 3-under round," said Cristie Kerr, who is alone in third place at 5-under-par 139 after shooting a 66 in the second round.
 
"Today we only had, you know, light wind and a little bit of mist at the end, and we're very fortunate with the conditions because it looks like it's deteriorating."
 
The 6-under rounds of Jang and Kerr were good, but Stahle fired one of just three 65s on the day to climb up the leaderboard. The 20-year-old amateur stands at 6-under-par 138 for the tournament.
 
"I think I enjoy the pressure and the people watching. I think it's fun and makes you play better," said Stahle, who is leaving Arizona State University to turn pro next week. "I've never been in this situation before, so I don't know."
 
Pat Hurst also shot a 7-under 65 Friday to move into fourth place at 4-under-par 140. Liselotte Neumann, Moira Dunn and Karrie Webb stand one stroke further back.
 
Annika Sorenstam, who is gunning for her third major win of the year and 10th overall, and 15-year-old amateur Michelle Wie are among a group of six golfers at 2-under-par 142.
 
Wie fell to plus-1 after badly missing a short par putt at the par-3 14th, but she recovered with birdies on three of her last four holes.
 
"I was trying to end on a good note," said Wie. "I wanted to finish under par, and you know it just felt good that I birdied the last three par-5s."