Park has another chance after 67 at delayed Women's Open

EDINA, Minn. -- Cristie Kerr seems to have Angela Park right where she wants her.

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Just like last year at Pine Needles, Kerr trails Park heading into the weekend at the U.S. Women's Open. The margin is much slimmer this time, and Kerr is playing with the swagger of a defending major champion.

Kerr made six birdies on her way to a 3-under 70 at Interlachen on Friday, and she trails Park by two strokes entering the third round.

"I've just got to take out of this that I'm in position again and I have that fire," Kerr said. "I've got it."

Park shot 6-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead over Finland's Minea Blomqvist, In-Bee Park and Helen Alfredsson and again claim the Open lead after 36 holes. Last year at Pine Needles, Angela Park held a six-stroke lead over Kerr after two rounds, but fell off over the final 36 holes to finish in fifth.

This time, Angela Park coupled a smooth putting stroke with that sweet swing of hers to take control early and get off the course before rain and lightning delayed action for 2½ hours.

"I had a couple of long putts, the eagle putt and a couple birdie putts," she said, referring to her 30-foot eagle putt on No. 2 to go with five birdies on the round. "But I hit good putts, so like Tiger says, get the speed right and they will drop."

Putting was a problem for plenty of players throughout the day. Annika Sorenstam needed 33 putts for the second straight round, missed a 5-footer for eagle on No. 18. But she still shot 3-under 70 to remain five strokes back in the final U.S. Open of her career.

"I think I'm hitting the ball as good as I can," Sorenstam said. "I'm just going to work on a few things with my putter, and I'm really looking forward to the weekend. It has to do with tempo, it has to do with the length of my back swing. It just takes awhile to get that."

Lorena Ochoa missed three birdie putts on her final four holes for a 74 and is 1 over for the tournament.

"I would like to be in better position but I think that it was a tough day for me today," Ochoa said. "I actually was very glad for the rain delay because after No. 3. I was really frustrated and it seemed like nothing was going my way. I needed some time to relax and just get away a little bit."

Kerr got rolling toward her first major championship at Pine Needles with a 66 in the third round. But the fiery American didn't wait that long to get going this time.

Wearing black shoes with no visible socks -- a La Mike Tyson -- Kerr attacked the course after the rain delay, barking at her ball in her trademark style and building some momentum as the evening wore on.