Times wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
MEMPHIS — Robert Karlsson keeps playing better and better at TPC Southwind. The Swede could be on track for his first PGA Tour title if he keeps it up.
Karlsson is focused only on his next round.
"That's a question we'll discuss when it happens," Karlsson said.
Karlsson shot 5-under 65 Friday to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the St. Jude Classic. He started a stroke behind first-round leader David Mathis and carded six birdies and a bogey to reach 9-under 131. Karlsson, who lost here a year ago in a playoff with Lee Westwood, has played his first six career rounds at the course under par with this his lowest score yet.
"It's actually a bonus that I did well here last year," said Karlsson, who is ranked 23rd in the world and has 11 career European Tour titles.
"But this year is a new year, and even now most likely going to be in the lead after two days makes no difference. We've come halfway, and who knows. I might finish 55th. You never know. You've got to keep going, especially on punishing golf courses like this."
Colt Knost (68) and Keegan Bradley (67) were tied for second. John Merrick (69) was 5 under, and Fredrik Jacobson (65) and Harrison Frazar (65) were another stroke back.
Brandt Snedeker shot 66 to top the group at 3 under that included Mathis (72). With 83 making the cut at 2 over, David Toms (5 over) and Sergio Garcia (7 over) were among those who made an early departure for the U.S. Open at Congressional.
LPGA: Mindy Kim maintained her two-stroke lead in the State Farm Classic, following her opening career-low 64 with 5-under 67 to reach 13-under 131 in Springfield, Ill.
Kim had seven birdies — four in a row on Nos. 12-15 — and two bogeys at the Panther Creek course.
Top-ranked Yani Tseng (66) and Shanshan Feng (65) were tied for second.
Kim, winless in two seasons on tour, said she has struggled with focus after bad holes but thinks she's managing herself better on the course. The American proved it Friday, quickly rebounding from bogey on the par-4 10th — her opening hole of the round.
"I would just get angry. I mean if I made a stupid bogey, which, on No. 10, it really was," Kim said. "Honestly, in the past I just didn't practice in my offseason. I would just hang out with my friends, and I think I did a little too much of that.
This offseason, I cut out a lot of time for golf."
Amanda Blumenhurst (67) was 9 under, and Seminole's Brittany Lincicome shot 69 to join Paula Creamer (68) and Jennifer Johnson (67) at 8 under.
Defending champion Cristie Kerr (67) topped a large group at 7 under. Michelle Wie was eight strokes back at 5 under, following an opening 72 with 67.
Champions: Bob Tway was walking from the putting green to the first tee at Rock Barn in Conover, N.C., when he saw Mike Goodes shoot 28 on the front nine. "After playing the pro-am, we knew we had to shoot low," Tway said. "But then when you see someone shoot 28, I think it kind of shocks you in that, 'Ooh, we're going to have to shoot really low.' " No problem for Tway, especially when you have only 23 putts. He birdied No. 18 for 9-under 63 to open a one-shot lead over Goodes, Tommy Armour III, Joe Ozaki and Mark Wiebe after the first round of the Greater Hickory Classic.