HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. — Anna Nordqvist made a 36-foot birdie putt on the final hole Friday to break a tie with Nicole Castrale and take the lead after two rounds of the LPGA Championship.
Nordqvist, a rookie from Sweden who played at Arizona State, began the day in second place — one stroke behind Castrale.
Starting on No. 10, Nordqvist birdied three of the first eight holes before losing momentum. She was 2-over-par during a nine-hole stretch before making her 11th birdie of the tournament, on No. 9, for a 2-under 70 and a total of 8-under 136.
Castrale stumbled at the outset and charged to the finish while shooting a par 72. Katherine Hull (69) and Lindsey Wright (68) were 6-under.
Playing in her first major as a professional, Nordqvist insisted that she felt no pressure on the Bulle Rock course.
“I was just trying to go out there and have fun and enjoy the day,” Nordqvist said. “Just a lot of patience, hit fairways, hit greens.”
Lorena Ochoa was five behind Nordqvist following a 69 that included four birdies and several near misses.
“I gave myself a lot of birdie chances. A few putts didn’t drop, but I’m happy,” said Ochoa, the third-leading money winner on the Tour. “I’m right where I want to be.”
Thunderstorms stop second round.
Phil Mickelson just missed a couple of birdie attempts, then cost himself a stroke when a par putt lipped out. Not that he got the chance to correct his stroke during the second round of the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn.
He marked his tee shot in the 16th fairway, got a ride off the course and jumped into his car after play was stopped ahead of thunderstorms that had tornado sirens wailing.
Brian Gay held the clubhouse lead after a 4-under 66 put him at 10-under 130 through 36 holes, two strokes ahead of Robert Allenby and Bryce Molder (63).
Woody Austin (66) was at 133 with David Toms, who was at 7-under with four to play. Rich Beam (68) and Loren Roberts (67) were among those tied at 134.
McKenzie leads.
David Mc- Kenzie fired a 7-under 65 in the second round to lead the Nationwide Knoxville Open in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Associated Press
