State Farm Classic - 2nd Round

Se Ri Pak and Suzann Pettersen are tied for the lead at -10 after two rounds of the State Farm Classic.  Five players are tied for third at -9 - Helen Alfredsson, Jee Young Lee, Kristy McPherson, Kris Tamulis and Moira Dunn - while Jiyai Shin is alone in eighth place at -8.

Conditions were great again on Friday and the scoring was even better than the day before.  Alfredsson led the way with a 63 which featured an eagle at the par-5 16^th (her 7^th).  Pettersen, McPherson and Dunn all put up 66s, and all without a single bogey.  Juli Inkster birdied her last three holes to card a 65 and move into a seven-way tie for ninth at -7.  In all, 50 players broke 70 and 33 others broke par.

While the news of this course having grown some teeth was obviously exaggerated, the cut of -2 was not quite as low as last year's -3.  Those who missed it by a shot include Karrie Webb, Wendy Ward, Mika Miyazato and Lisa Strom (despite a Friday 67).  Also heading home are Lindsey Wright, Angela Park and Jane Park.  Laura Davies and Sandra Gal were both in the huge tie for 7^th after their rounds of 69 on Thursday but both missed the cut when they posted 77 and 78 respectively.  Two players barely made the cut when they desperately needed to - Laura Diaz snapped her four-tourney MC streak and Julieta Granada made only her second cut of the entire season.

Too many players near the top of the board to get a feel for how this is going to play out.  The chances of your favorite player going low today and either getting into contention or taking the lead are certainly good.  Pettersen looks to be the favorite right now but I don't think you can ever count out Pak when she's sniffing the lead on the weekend.  Shin is lurking two shots back and a bunch of other Top 30 players are right behind her.  Ought to be a fun couple of days.