KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) -While Kapalua is making its LPGA Tour debut, Brittany Lang is experienced at handling its challenging tradewinds and tricky greens.
Lang shot a 1-under 71 on Friday for a share of the second-round lead with Suzann Pettersen in the inaugural Kapalua LPGA Classic.
Last December, the former Duke star played the Bay Course four times while on a trip to Maui with one of her sponsors.
"I got to play in way more wind than this, so this seems easy," she said. "I learned every hole and knew where we were playing from and go t a feel for the greens."
Lang stayed aggressive despite the breezes that frustrated many players, birdieing Nos. 11 and 13 to match Pettersen (72) at 4-under 140.
"I just left too many putts out there," Pettersen said. "I would have been happy even with 2 or 3 under. .. But I'm in a great position. I didn't lose any ground."
The morning groups enjoyed calmer conditions with the tradewinds again picking up in the afternoon. Early rain softened the slick greens at the Bay Course and the overcast conditions provided some relief from the sun.
"I grew up playing in the wind, and it doesn't seem to bother me that much," Lang said.
Annika Sorenstam followed her opening 77 with a 70 to make it to the weekend.
Making one of her last competitive appearances before leaving the tour at the end of the year, Sorenstam needed an eagle to get to 3-over 147 - the cut was at 4 over.
The 72-time LPGA Tour winner hasn't missed a cut since the 2006 Michelob Ultra.
Canadian Alena Sharp (67) and Laura Diaz (71) were 3 under along with South Koreans Sun Young Yoo (71), Jee Young Lee (70), Ji Young Oh (71) and Il Mi Chung.
"It's tough with the wind," said Sharp, who had the day's best round. "You have to hang in there and hit the ball low and pick good targets off the tee and into the greens."
