With a little help, Wie makes the cut

Standing behind the first tee as the last group teed off at the LPGA Championship in Havre de Grace, Md., was Lisa Fernandes, the first alternate in the tournament who had more than a passing interest in Michelle Wie.

Her hopes of playing ended when Wie teed off.

“I was going to ask her if she planned on finishing,” Fernandes said. “Because if she wasn’t, I want her spot.”

Not to worry -- Wie finished not only one round, but two.

Wie followed the same script Friday, never taking the cover off her driver, playing cautiously on a Bulle Rock course that others attacked, and finding small consolation in a two-over-par 74.

A week after withdrawing from the Ginn Tribute after 16 holes, Wie was hoping for a chance to keep playing. She needed some late help.

Wie was at three-over 147, 11 shots behind leader Suzann Pettersen, and in a tie for 80th when she signed her card. The top 70 and ties make the cut, and it came down to the last group on the last hole, where Karen Davies made bogey to allow Wie and 14 other players to make the cut on the number.

Wie hasn’t missed the cut after playing 36 holes on the LPGA Tour since she was 13 at the Kroger Classic.

Pettersen birdied three of her last four holes, finishing with a five-under 67 to take a one-shot lead over Karrie Webb, who shot a 69. Brittany Lincicome also shot 69 and was two shots behind with Birdie Kim (71). The group at five-under 139 included Morgan Pressel (71) and Annika Sorenstam, who birdied her last two holes for a 69.

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Adam Scott’s four-under 66 gave him a one-stroke clubhouse lead at seven-under 133 when darkness suspended play in the Stanford St. Jude Championship at Memphis, Tenn.

A total of 36 players were unable to complete the round after thunderstorms had forced a three-hour delay. They will return this morning to finish.

Andrew Buckle had a chance to pass Scott with what could be the best round of the tournament. He started at even and was six under with three holes left after seven birdies.

Brian Gay, who waited out the delay after putting his second shot on the green at No. 18, holed out from 45 feet for birdie and a 66 that left him a stroke back at six under.

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Jay Haas got off to a good start in his bid for his third Champions Tour victory of the year, making a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole to take a one-stroke lead in the Principal Charity Classic at West Des Moines, Iowa.

Haas, who leads the money list, shot a six-under 65. Dave Eichelberger was second with a 66. Jim Thorpe was another stroke back along with Bob Gilder, Mark James and David Edwards.

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Scott Piercy, a Las Vegas-based mini-tour player who tied for 15th last year in the PGA Tour’s FBR Open at Scottsdale, Ariz., won $2 million in The Ultimate Game.

Piercy, 28, had rounds of 68 and 65 in the two-day finale at Wynn Las Vegas.

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Leaderboard

Second-round leaders at the LPGA Championship on the par-72 Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, Md.:

Suzann Pettersen ... 69-67 -- 136

Karrie Webb ... 68-69 -- 137

Birdie Kim ... 67-71 -- 138

Brittany Lincicome ... 69-69 -- 138

Paula Creamer ... 71-68 -- 139

Morgan Pressel ... 68-71 -- 139

Meena Lee ... 70-69 -- 139

Annika Sorenstam ... 70-69 -- 139

* COMPLETE SCORES, D10