RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Liselotte Neumann has a lot going her way in the Kraft Nabisco Championship — home-course advantage, confidence in her putter and the lead going into the weekend in the LPGA Tour's first major championship of the year.
Neumann, who spent her winter break practicing at Mission Hills, holed a 12-foot birdie putt on the final green Friday for a 2-under-par 70.
The 35-year-old Swede was at 5-under 139 and had a two-stroke lead over defending champion Annika Sorenstam, 45-year-old Beth Daniel and Rosie Jones. Kris Tschetter was another stroke back after a 69 in the afternoon, matching the lowest score of the day.
Lorena Ochoa of Mexico, a sophomore at Arizona who has won every college tournament she has played this year, birdied the 18th for a 69. She was at 144, along with Cristie Kerr and Leta Lindley.
While only five women remained under par, the group at 1-over 145 included Karrie Webb, Se Ri Pak and Lorie Kane.
SHELL HOUSTON OPEN: Vijay Singh, winless on the PGA Tour since the 2000 Masters, shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead in the Shell Houston Open.
Singh had a 12-under 132 total on the TPC at The Woodlands. Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke was second after a 65, and J.P. Hayes (68) was three strokes back at 9 under.
Australian Geoff Ogilvy (65) and Brandt Jobe (66) were four strokes back, and ScottVerplank, Jay Haas and Chris Riley shot 70s for 7-under 137 totals. Greg Norman (68) and first-round leader Jim Carter (73) were another shot back.
EMERALD COAST CLASSIC: Dana Quigley, seeking his second straight Senior PGA Tour victory, shot a 7-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead in the Emerald Coast Classic.
Quigley, playing the 175th straight tournament for which he has been eligible, won the Siebel Classic two weeks ago.
Dave Eichelberger had a hole-in-one in his round of 65, using a 7-iron on the 185-yard eighth hole. Fred Gibson opened with a 66, and Allen Doyle, Larry Nelson, Simon Hobday, Bob Eastwood and Frank Conner followed at 67.