Golf Roundup : Rinker Is Leading LPGA by 1

Laurie Rinker, leading a major tournament for the first time, shot a five-under-par 67 in Friday’s second round of the $350,000 LPGA Championship at Mason, Ohio, to grab a one-stroke lead at the halfway mark.

Rinker’s 136 total at the 6,202-yard Jack Nicklaus Sports Center “Grizzly” course put her one shot ahead of Deb Richard, who had a second-round 69.

Another stroke back were Ayako Okamoto, Patty Sheehan, Lori Garbacz, Patti Rizzo and Rosie Jones.

“This is the first time I’ve made the cut here in five years,” Rinker said. “Finally, I’ve played well here -- at least for two days, anyway.”

Davis Love III, playing on the same course where he learned the game as a youngster, shot his second seven-under-par 65 to build a three-shot lead after two rounds in the $600,000 Atlanta Golf tournament.

“I’m comfortable here,” the 23-year-old PGA Tour sophomore said of the 7,007-yard, par 72 Atlanta Country Club course he played regularly for several years when his father was the club professional.

Love’s 36-hole total was 14-under-par 130, lowest on the tour this season.

Love held his three-shot lead over four golfers--Steve Pate, Gary Koch and Jack Renner, who had 67s, and George Burns, the first-round leader, who shot a 69.

Chi Chi Rodriguez started quickly in his bid to win his third straight PGA Senior Tour event, shooting a six-under par 66 for a share of the first-round lead in the $250,000 Silver Pages tournament at Oklahoma City.

Harold Henning, Miller Barber, Jim King and Don Massengale also shot 66s.