Cristie Kerr in control at LPGA

Associated Press

PITTSFORD, N.Y.

Cristie Kerr is halfway home to winning her second career major title, and she’s making it look easy at the LPGA Championship.

Relying on her chipping and near-perfect putting to overcome several errant tee shots, Kerr shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take a five-stroke lead at 10 under on the Locust Hill Country Club course.

The 2007 U.S. Women’s Open Champion opened the day in a three-way tie for the lead, then took control by consistently scrambling out of trouble to produce a bogey-free round. She birdied four of her last five holes to pull away.

Inbee Park, the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open champion, and Mika Miyazato were tied for second at 5 under after 70s. Brittany Lincicome (69) and Amy Yang (67) were 4 under.

“I played awesome today,” Kerr said. “I don’t think anybody expected anybody to be in double digits after two days. But you know what, keep my head down and keep going.”

Kerr stayed patient while playing out of the rough, and took advantage when in range of the green. She holed a 23-footer for birdie on No. 17, then tapped on 18 for her final birdie in after hitting a 6-iron within a foot.

Park was impressed by Kerr’s score, but wasn’t prepared to concede anything.

“No, not at all. It’s still two days of golf left out there,” Park said. “Anything could happen on this golf course.”

Opening the week ranked fifth in the world, Kerr is proving serious about her objective in taking a run at top spot, which is currently held by Ai Miyazato — 3 over after rounds of 76 and 71.

As the top-ranked American, Kerr is also eager to show that the U.S. contingent on the LPGA Tour can be competitive in the post-Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam era.

Only three Americans have won the past 13 majors and only five of the past 33 tour events — including Kerr winning the State Farm Class two weeks ago and the Michelob Ultra Open in May 2009.

The cut was at 4-over 148, knocking out several notables, including Se Ri Pak (10 over) and Pat Hurst (11 over)

Jiyai Shin, the No. 2 player in the world, was 2 under after rounds of 72 and 70 in her first tournament since having an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago.

Michelle Wie was 2 over, following an opening 72 with a 74.

Sun and a light breeze made for good conditions at the 6,506-yard course a day after a heavy downpour briefly delayed play.