RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., March 29 (UPI) -- Winless since 1988, Liselotte Neumann extended her lead midway through the Kraft Nabisco Championship to two shots Friday, then credited a new fitness regimen for her comeback.
The 35-year-old Swede followed the only sub-70 score of the first round with a 2-under-par 70. She was at 5-under 139 midway through the first major of the LPGA Tour season, two shots better than a trio of big names.
Among them was defending champion Annika Sorenstam, who is seeking her fourth career major title and 15th overall since the start of the 2000 season. She was tied with Rosie Jones and Beth Daniel at 141.
Kris Tschetter was the only other golfer in the 92-player field under par, sitting fifth at 143. Amateur Lorena Ochoa, Leta Lindley and Cristie Kerr were at even-par 144.
An honorary member at Mission Hills Country Club, Neumann had three birdies and a bogey Friday, when gusting winds and difficult pin placements kept scores high.
Regardless of the course, high scores had become all too familiar for Neumann, who had just one top-10 finish in 21 starts last year before turning to a new workout program.
"The end of last year, I was not too happy with myself and my game," said Neumann, who has 12 career titles but just four top-10s the last three seasons. "I think that's why I've done the changes. I think I have come to a point where I've got to change something."
The change has been a dramatic one.
This season, Neumann has hit the gym in order to work on her strength and balance after struggling to crack the top 150 in driving distance and accuracy last year.
"That's just a terrible combination," said Neumann, who is 35th and 117th in those categroies this season.
Neumann always had worked out, but she hired a trainer after placing no better than fifth in any of her appearances last year.
"I worked out, but just kind of did it on my own, just going in the gym and doing all of the machines," she said. "And now it's more -- a lot of rubber bands, more medicine ball, and just working more of the stomach and back. And it's just more fun, too."
Neumann began the day a shot ahead of Sorenstam and picked up an early birdie with a 30-foot putt at the par-5 second. She also two-putted for birdie at the par-5 11th and made a 12-footer at the par-5 18th around a bogey at No. 14, opting all along to stay away from the pins.
"I'm happier doing that than maybe messing up and missing the green and ending up in the thick grass around the greens," she said. "So playing just a little bit on the safe side today, I must admit."
