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Enlarge PhotoCristie Kerr of the U.S. shoots out of a bunker on the fifth hole during... American Cristie Kerr birdied four of her last five holes to grab a commanding five-shot lead Friday at the halfway mark of the LPGA Championship, the second women's major of the season.Kerr, who started the day with a share of the tournament lead, fired a bogey-free six-under-par 66 to stand 10-under-par with a 134 total.
She had some trouble finding the fairways on the narrow, tree-lined Locust Hill Country Club course but scrambled her way out of trouble and used a hot putter to pad her lead.
"I hit very good recovery shots today," Kerr, who hit just five fairways on the day, told reporters. "When I was in the rough I got on the green and two-putted for par."
Park In-bee of South Korea and Japan's Mika Miyazato, who both were one shot off the pace after the opening round, were tied for second place at five-under-par 139 after posting 70s.
"Ten-under is amazing," Park, the 2008 U.S. Women's Open champion, said about Kerr's score. "But it is not out of reach at all. There's still two days of golf. Anything can happen."
Miyazato said she had conquered some butterflies Friday.
"Today was all about keeping my patience and keeping my game steady," Miyazato said through an interpreter. "I am a little bit more nervous because it is a major but I am able to concentrate on each shot so I am very confident about that."
Another shot away at 140 were American Brittany Lincicome (69) and Amy Yang of South Korea (67).
Seventy-three players made the cut set at four-over 148.
Players will tee off in threesomes from the first and 10th holes starting at 0700 (1100 GMT) Saturday in hopes of getting the third round in before some expected stormy weather.
Kerr, number five in the world and the highest ranked American, sank a 25-foot birdie putt at the first hole and parred the next eight holes despite failing to hit another fairway on the front nine.
The 32-year-old Kerr caught fire on the back nine, starting with a four-foot birdie at the 10th and following with birdies on 14 and 15 before closing with two more.
At the 17th she rolled in a 25-footer and at 18 she tapped in from one foot after thrusting her arms skyward to answer the gallery's cheers as she approached the green.
"Birdieing four of the last five holes was pretty unbelievable," said Kerr, who took advantage of gentler morning conditions to set the daunting target. "I don't think anyone expected anybody to get to double digits under par today."
Kerr has regained her feel on the greens after switching putters prior to winning the LPGA Tour event in Illinois two weeks ago.
"I've always been a good putter, but when I've found a putter that feels right, I can make almost anything I look at," she said. "I found my heat-seeking missile."
Kerr started the day in a three-way tie with late starters Lee Seon-hwa of South Korea and American Stacy Lewis, who both returned scores of two-over 74 for 142.
(Editing by Steve Ginsburg; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
(For more news on Reuters India, click http://in.reuters.com)
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