Kerr takes lead with 66 at Bell Micro

MOBILE, Ala., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Cristie Kerr battled through the fringe winds of Hurricane Ike Friday to fire a 66 and take the second-round lead at the Bell Micro LPGA Classic in Mobile, Ala.

Kerr made seven birdies in the blustery conditions and finished the second round at 9-under 135. She had a two-shot lead over Angela Stanford and a three-shot cushion over Reilley Rankin.

"I grew up in the wind in Miami and I was very comfortable out there," said Kerr, who won the most recent LPGA Tour event three weeks ago. "I just tried to play instead of fighting the wind."

First-round co-leaders Anna Rawson and Shanshan Feng both shot 73 and slipped five shots off the pace.