Choi leads Farr by two; Creamer OK despite cut
Associated Press
SYLVANIA
Na Yeon Choi is looking forward to the weekend. So is Paula Creamer, but for an entirely different reason.
Choi followed an opening 7-under 64 with a 67 on Friday in the second round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic to forge a two-stroke lead. She’ll be chasing her third career victory.
Creamer, winner of the Farr two years ago, struggled to a 73 and missed the cut. That meant a weekend away from the pain associated with playing with her surgically repaired left thumb.
“I’m very disappointed in how I played but it’s two more rounds under my belt,” she said. “I’m getting used to getting out there and there’s some things I need to work on. It’s just the hard part is being able to work on them.”
Still rehabbing after having the ligament damage repaired in her thumb, Creamer has played in the last three tournaments.
“Probably three in a row is too much coming out at first,” she said. “But I feel like I have an obligation. I love coming to this golf course and the fans ... you don’t want to miss that.”
While Creamer tries to find some answers before next week’s U.S. Women’s Open at Oakmont, Choi continued to ride a wave of confidence.
She missed her first LPGA cut in more than 2 1/2 years last week at the LPGA Championship. Angry at herself, she discarded her putter and got a new one. As a result, she’s needed just 53 putts in 36 holes while getting to 11-under 131. She doubled her first-round lead.
“I had confidence out there with my friend Inbee Park,” she said, speaking of her fellow South Korean. “We enjoyed it. No bogeys today, so I feel perfect.”
They’ll also play together for the third straight day in the final pairing today.
Park shot a 66, Christina Kim had a 67 and Alena Sharp a 68 to share second place at 9-under 133.
Park three-putted for a bogey at the 16th hole, then turned around and holed a 20-yard bunker shot for eagle at the 17th.