Shin Still Leads Kingsmill Championship


South Korea's Jiyai Shin posted a 3-under 68 to retain the leaderboard's top spot in the Kingsmill Championship. The $1.3 million, 72-hole LPGA Tour event began Thursday on the River Course at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va.

Shin, who set a new course record Thursday with a 9-under 62, posted four birdies and a bogey Friday to reach 12-under 130, one stroke ahead of American Danielle Kang, who's posted rounds of 67 and 64 in the weather-delayed tournament.

Sharing third at 132 are Dutchwoman Dewi Claire Schreefel, who's shot two straight 66s, and Paula Creamer (65, 67). Lexi Thompson (67, 66) and Spain's Azahara Munoz (65, 68) are tied for fifth at 133.

Tied for seventh at 134 are Stacy Lewis (69, 65) and Sweden's Maria Hjorth (65, 69), while another stroke back in ninth are Candie Kung (68, 67), Jodi Ewart (68, 67), Chella Choi (67, 68), Ai Miyazato (67, 68), Jennifer Johnson (66, 69) and Jennifer Song (66, 69).

The tournament returned to Kingsmill following a three-year hiatus. Cristie Kerr won the previous go-round in 2009; in 2013 the event will be played at its usual date in early May.

The 36-hole cut was set at 1-under 141. After opening with a 72, Kerr posted a 74 to miss the final 36 holes. Also heading home is Michelle Wie, who posted rounds of 75 and 71.

Fifteen-year LPGA veteran Leta Lindley missed the cut by three strokes and followed through on her plans to retire, citing the need to spend more time with her husband and two children, Cole and Reese.

"Before I know it, (Cole and Reese) are going to be out of the house and I just don't want to miss any more of that," said the 40-year-old, whose only LPGA victory came in the 2008 LPGA Corning Classic. "So it's time to create some different memories.

"I never would have made it 18 years without him by my side," she said of husband Matt Plagmann, who caddied for her this week. "Not many husband-wife teams can work together and have the kind of relationship that we do and I'm most thankful for him."

"We're losing a pretty cool person," Lewis told reporters. "Every time you see Leta, whether she played good or played bad, she's got a smile on her face, and that's pretty rare out here, truthfully."

For complete scoring, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx.