Kia Classic: Second round complete; Shin still leads

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The rain-delayed LPGA golf tournament at the Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms had its second round finished Saturday morning.

Jiyai Shin, who shot a nine-under-par 64 and completed her second round Friday, was able to sleep in Saturday while 72 other golfers had to get up early and finish. Shin’s lead had been four shots over the field Friday but it was down to one over Germany’s Sandra Gal by noon Saturday. Gal completed her second-round five-under par 68 Saturday morning and has a two-round score of 11-under 135, one shot behind Shin.

Another South Korean, I.K. Kim, starts the third round in third place at seven-under par. First-round leader Amanda Blumenherst had a one-over 74 in the second round and is in a three-way tie for fourth with Chella Choi of South Korea and Mindy Kim of the U.S.

Michelle Wie, who had been third after the first round, will start the third round in a three-way tie for 10th place, and nine shots behind Shin. Australia’s Karrie Webb, who is aiming for her third straight tournament victory, snuck in just under the cut, which was scores of two-over and lower. But it seems unlikely that Webb, tied for 60th and 14 shots behind Shin, can continue her winning streak.

Tournament officials hope the third round can be completed Saturday.

-- Diane Pucin