Inkster Flies Into Lead With a 66

Juli Inkster holed a nine-iron for eagle to cap a remarkable four-hole stretch Saturday that took her from the middle of the pack to the lead after two rounds of the HealthSouth Inaugural in Orlando, Fla.

Inkster was five strokes back when the second round began at Grand Cypress Resort. Despite a bogey on the 18th hole, she finished with a six-under-par 66 for 139 and a two-stroke lead going into the final round.

“I play a lot on momentum,” Inkster said. “Once I feel like I’m playing well, I keep it up.”

Kris Tschetter birdied the last two holes for a 67 that put her at three-under 141. First-round leader Jenny Lidback, Jane Crafter and Meg Mallon were at 142.

Inkster’s fortunes turned after a chunked nine-iron led to a bogey on the third hole. She followed with three straight birdie putts inside 10 feet, then holed a nine-iron from 120 yards on No. 7 for an eagle.

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Gil Morgan continued his strong run in the winners-only MasterCard Championship at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, shooting a second round six-under 66 for a two-day total 13-under 131 and a two-stroke lead over Gibby Gilbert.

Morgan birdied three of the first five holes, stumbled at the 217-yard eighth with his only bogey over 36 holes, then birdied the next three holes to open the gap.

Gilbert birdied the 410-yard 18th at the Hualalai Golf Club to finish at 11-under 133 and solo second.

At 10-under 134 were Vicente Fernandez (68) and Dave Stockton (67).

David Graham matched Morgan’s 66 and reached the 36-hole mark at eight-under 136.

Defending champion Hale Irwin, a nine-time winner last year, was six off the pace at 137.