Jang Increases Her British Lead to Four

Jeong Jang took a four-stroke lead into the weekend at the British Open after a second-round 66 Friday at Southport, England, and Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie fell eight shots back.

The second-round leader is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory in six years as a pro. The 25-year-old is determined to limit the distractions of leading the strongest field in women’s golf, including two of its biggest names.

“I just need to think about my golf, about the golf course, and I think I will be OK,” she said. “But it will be hard. This course, it’s kind of scary, so I have to pay attention.”

Jang, who led by one after the first round, birdied four consecutive holes starting with No. 4 and added three more after the turn. Her only blemish was when she left her approach 20 yards short of the eighth green and then missed a 10-foot par putt.

Jang’s six-under round put her at 10-under 134, a British Open 36-hole record since the event became a major five years ago.

Her closest rival was amateur Louise Stahle, who shot 65. Cristie Kerr’s 66 left her another stroke back at five-under 139.

Wie recovered from a first-round 75 in the fickle English weather to post a 67, and Sorenstam’s 69 also kept her in contention at two-under 142.

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Tom Watson, seeking his second major championship in two weeks, shot a six-under 65 to tie Craig Stadler and Loren Roberts for the lead through the second round of the U.S. Senior Open at Kettering, Ohio.

The leaders were upstaged by Arnold Palmer’s post-round declaration that he would no longer play any major championships. In his 50 years of Grand Slam competition, Palmer has won 12 majors, five as a senior.

“It’s not fun when you play as poorly as I played,” the 75-year-old Palmer said after shooting an 81. He finished at 24-over 166 and missed the cut.

“My tournaments are getting down to a very few. As far as trying to compete in major championships such as the Open and other tournaments, this is it. I’m through doing it. I’m not going to do it anymore.”

Watson, Stadler and Roberts are at nine-under 133, matching the tournament record for lowest score through 36 holes.

Roberts, playing in only his second Champions Tour event, shot a 67. Stadler shot a 69.