Matthew, Kane Tied for Lead

With rain in the forecast, Catriona Matthew and Lorie Kane knew where they wanted to be Friday -- in the lead at the LPGA Corning Classic.

Matthew shot an eight-under-par 64, one shot better than Kane, and both finished the second round at 12-under 132, one stroke ahead of Meg Mallon, who had a 66 at Corning, N.Y.

Helen Alfredsson, Juli Inkster and Karen Stupples were tied for fourth at 10 under and Hall of Famer Beth Daniel was at 135.

Although the expected showers never materialized, forecasters were predicting up to 1.5 inches of rain by tonight, meaning the third round most likely would be very soggy.

“I thought we were going to have rain today, so I was trying to get as low as I could yesterday,” Kane said. “This afternoon was lucky that we didn’t have any. I’m glad I have a low number.”

The distraction of Annika Sorenstam faded Friday because by the time she teed off for the second round against the men at Colonial, most of the LPGA leaders were finished for the day.

Still, by late afternoon Sorenstam’s bid to make the cut was back up on the big screen near the 18th green, and there were plenty of interested onlookers.

“I’m going to go cheer her on until she finishes,” Kane said. “She’ll get a big thank you from me because what she accomplished yesterday was just unbelievable.”

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Ed Dougherty and Bobby Wadkins had five-under 65s and shared the first-round lead in the inaugural Columbus (Ga.) Southern Open.

Dougherty birdied his final hole about an hour after Wadkins closed with a three-putt bogey.

They were one shot ahead of Des Smyth, Tom Kite, Walter Hall, Dana Quigley and Morris Hatalsky in the Champions Tour event at Green Island Country Club.

“The whole key today and for the rest of the tournament was keeping it in the fairway,” Wadkins said. “The rough is extremely wet.”

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Darren Clarke birdied the last two holes for a three-under-par 69 and held a one-stroke lead halfway through the Volvo PGA Championship at Virginia Water, England.

Clarke was at nine-under 135, with Niklas Fasth in second place after a 67. Tied at 137 are two-time winner Ian Woosnam (69), Soren Hansen (68), Kenneth Ferrie (67) and Robert Rock (68).

Ernie Els birdied the last two holes for his second consecutive 69 to join a large group three shots behind. He is trying to win this tournament for the first time in eight attempts.