Webb, Dunn tied for second Updated: April 15, 2005, 10:53 PM ET Associated Press 0 0 0 EMAIL PRINT LAS VEGAS -- Wendy Ward had a scrambling 68 on Friday and took a three-shot lead through two rounds of the Takefuji Classic. Ward, looking for her fourth LPGA victory and first in nearly four years, was at 11-under 133. Karrie Webb, who shared the opening-round lead with Ward, had a 71 on Friday and was tied for second with Moira Dunn, who is winless in 10 years on the tour. Dunn had a 5-under 67 in the second round. Amateur In-Bee Park, a 16-year-old South Korean and Las Vegas high school junior, had a 71 that left her in a group four shots off the lead. Former University of Arizona star Lorena Ochoa vaulted from a tie for 96th into a tie for fourth with a 9-under 63. The round was a career best for the native of Mexico and the lowest in the three years the tournament has been played at The Las Vegas Country Club. Also at 7-under with one round to go in the 54-hole tournament were Mi Hyun Kim and Nicole Perrot. Kim, a South Korean who has won four events in her previous six years on the tour, shot a 71, as did Perrot, a Chilean playing in her 10th LPGA tournament. Defending champion Cristie Kerr and 2003 winner Candie Kung just survived the cut, with scores of 144 and higher out for the final round. Both were at 1-under 143, Kerr with a second-round 71 and Kung with a 70. Ward, a native of San Antonio, has credited a new outlook, thanks to her sports psychologist, for the improvement in her game. Although Ward's second round included a drive into trees and a bogey on her 10th hole of the day -- the par-4, 400-yard 1st -- her accurate iron play put her in close range for five birdies. Ward said she spoke with sports psychologist Debbie Crews after shooting the first-round 65. "She was tickled to death and she said, 'Now you know what you have to do tomorrow,'" Ward related. "I said, 'Yes, more of the same.' She said, 'No, you have to turn it up a notch.' "That was her way of saying I need to be even more aggressive, because there are plenty of people behind me that have that mentality -- and more," she said. Ochoa, who has won twice since joining the tour full-time in 2003, was delighted with her spectacular round. "It was a great day. The score is going to be very special for me for all my career," said Ochoa, who set up most of her nine birdies by sticking iron shots near the pin. "I'm in contention to hopefully have a good round tomorrow and have a chance to win the tournament," she said. Webb was disappointed with her second round. "I just didn't feel as comfortable as I did yesterday," she said. "I didn't have as many chances at birdies. I've got to be a little sharper and give myself more opportunities." Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press

Webb, Dunn tied for second

Updated: April 15, 2005, 10:53 PM ET

Associated Press

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LAS VEGAS -- Wendy Ward had a scrambling 68 on Friday and took a three-shot lead through two rounds of the Takefuji Classic.

Ward, looking for her fourth LPGA victory and first in nearly four years, was at 11-under 133.

Karrie Webb, who shared the opening-round lead with Ward, had a 71 on Friday and was tied for second with Moira Dunn, who is winless in 10 years on the tour. Dunn had a 5-under 67 in the second round.

Amateur In-Bee Park, a 16-year-old South Korean and Las Vegas high school junior, had a 71 that left her in a group four shots off the lead.

Former University of Arizona star Lorena Ochoa vaulted from a tie for 96th into a tie for fourth with a 9-under 63.

The round was a career best for the native of Mexico and the lowest in the three years the tournament has been played at The Las Vegas Country Club.

Also at 7-under with one round to go in the 54-hole tournament were Mi Hyun Kim and Nicole Perrot.

Kim, a South Korean who has won four events in her previous six years on the tour, shot a 71, as did Perrot, a Chilean playing in her 10th LPGA tournament.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr and 2003 winner Candie Kung just survived the cut, with scores of 144 and higher out for the final round. Both were at 1-under 143, Kerr with a second-round 71 and Kung with a 70.

Ward, a native of San Antonio, has credited a new outlook, thanks to her sports psychologist, for the improvement in her game.

Although Ward's second round included a drive into trees and a bogey on her 10th hole of the day -- the par-4, 400-yard 1st -- her accurate iron play put her in close range for five birdies.

Ward said she spoke with sports psychologist Debbie Crews after shooting the first-round 65.

"She was tickled to death and she said, 'Now you know what you have to do tomorrow,'" Ward related. "I said, 'Yes, more of the same.' She said, 'No, you have to turn it up a notch.'

"That was her way of saying I need to be even more aggressive, because there are plenty of people behind me that have that mentality -- and more," she said.

Ochoa, who has won twice since joining the tour full-time in 2003, was delighted with her spectacular round.

"It was a great day. The score is going to be very special for me for all my career," said Ochoa, who set up most of her nine birdies by sticking iron shots near the pin.

"I'm in contention to hopefully have a good round tomorrow and have a chance to win the tournament," she said.

Webb was disappointed with her second round.

"I just didn't feel as comfortable as I did yesterday," she said. "I didn't have as many chances at birdies. I've got to be a little sharper and give myself more opportunities."

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press