Jones, Robbins Tied in Canada

Rosie Jones and Kelly Robbins shot three-under-par 69s Friday at wind-swept Angus Glen to share the second-round lead in the Canadian Women’s Open at Markham.

Jones, seeking her third victory of the year, had five birdies and two bogeys in her afternoon round as gusting wind--with some light rain--roared through the Toronto area at up to 35 mph.

“You have to be really patient,” the 41-year-old American said. “The course is playing really tough. It’s really hard to figure out the direction of the wind.”

Jones and Robbins, who opened with 65s to share the first-round lead with South Korean star Se Ri Pak, finished at 10-under 134 on Angus Glen’s South Course.

“I couldn’t do anything wrong,” said Jones, fourth last week in the Wendy’s Championship for Children. “When I didn’t hit great shots, I hit great putts. I would have been just as happy with an even-par round.”

Robbins, winless since the first event in 1999, shot a 69--one of only two sub-70 rounds in the morning session. She made a 25-foot eagle putt on the par-five 14th hole to reach 10 under and closed with four pars as the wind picked up.

“I’m very glad I’m not out there now. Very glad!” the nine-time tour winner said after her morning round. “It’s a total guessing game with this type of wind situation.”

Pak shot a 72 to drop into a tie for third with Sweden’s Maria Hjorth (69) at 137.

Mike Smith used soggy greens to his advantage, posting a nine-under 63 for the lead after the first day at the Utah Novell Showdown at Park City.

John Jacobs was a shot back, with Bruce Lietzke and Bobby Walzel at 65.

“I had a lot of foot-and-a-half putts today,” Smith said. “It’s pretty nice when you have those. The greens held all the shots real well.”

Jacobs could have tied with Smith but missed a seven-foot birdie putt on the 18th.