Davies makes cut after rescue act

Britain‘s Laura Davies and Karen Stupples made the cut as the storm-hit McDonald’s LPGA Championship finally reached the halfway stage at Bulle Rock in Maryland.

Davies shot a 73 for a one-over-par 145 and Stupples made it on the final mark of 146 after a 76 on a day when American Pat Hurst claimed the lead on seven-under 137.

Hurst, who had to complete eight holes in the morning, shot a 71 and was a stroke ahead of Americans Dorothy Delasin and Christina Kim. Delasin had completed her 71 yesterday, while Kim shot the same score this morning.

Four players were tied for fourth place on five under, including 16-year-old Michelle Wie, who had posted a 68 yesterday, with defending champion Annika Sorenstam a stroke further back after a 69.

The breezy conditions made scoring tricky and Hurst, who was on eight under overnight, dropped a shot at the fourth (her 13th hole) and clung on to her lead when she made a great par save at the ninth.

Bunkered in two, she holed an 18-foot putt to rescue the four.

Davies, who had to complete eight holes, moved to one under for the championship with a birdie at the 15th, but then dropped shots at the final two holes.

Hurst, a four-time career winner including one major – the 1998 Kraft Nabisco Championship – admitted the championship had turned into a tough struggle following yesterday’s five-hour suspension due to thunder and lightning.

“It was really windy today and it was a very tough coming down the stretch,” she said. “I think the players who managed to finish their second round early yesterday have an advantage.

“It is very hard when you’re hanging about and not knowing when you are going to play. Having to play 26 holes in one day in this wind is a real test.”