Stupples Takes Lead at ANZ Ladies Masters

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) _ England's Karen Stupples is making the most of her chances in the ANZ Ladies Masters. <br><br>Playing on a promoter's invitation, Stupples shrugged off difficult afternoon

Friday, February 27th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) _ England's Karen Stupples is making the most of her chances in the ANZ Ladies Masters.

Playing on a promoter's invitation, Stupples shrugged off difficult afternoon conditions at Royal Pines to shoot a 5-under-par 67 to take a two-stroke lead after the second round Friday.

First-round leader Rachel Teske of Australia faltered with four bogeys on the back nine for a 72. Annika Sorenstam, making her 2004 debut, stayed in touch with a 70 that left her four back of Stupples' 9-under 135.

Heavy rain earlier in the week left the course soggy and greens slow on Thursday and Friday morning, but the course firmed up in the afternoon breeze.

Australian Anne-Marie Knight and Filipino Jennifer Rosales, both of whom made morning starts, are tied for second at 7-under 137. Knight had two eagles on long approach shots for a 66 while Rosales had the best round of the day with a 65.

Knight's eagles came on the seventh and 18th, one of the toughest holes on the course.

``It was an unbelievable round of golf,'' Knight said. ``The one on 18 was the pick of them. I had 170 yards to the pin, hit a 5-iron straight for the flag. I could tell from the crowd at the back of the green that it went in. On the seventh, from about 127 yards, I hit a little 9 and it again headed straight for the flag.''

Teske had two birdies and eagled the par-5 ninth but bogeyed the 10th, 14th, 16th and 17th, to bring her back to even par on the day.

She is tied with Sorenstam for fourth while six others are tied for sixth at 4-under 140, including defending champion Laura Davies (71) of England and South Korea's Grace Lee (70).

Four-time winner Karrie Webb had a 70 and was tied for 12th at 3-under 141. U.S. Open champion Hilary Lunke missed the cut after shooting a 79.

The 30-year-old Stupples, who has played on the LPGA tour for five years without a win, was invited to Australia by tournament promoter Bob Tuohy.

After attending Florida State, her career stalled when she returned to England. She worked selling furniture and later in the dining room at a golf club.

``It was a nice story that while I was waitressing, a regular customer kept coming in and asking why I hadn't turned pro yet,'' Stupples said. ``I said I hadn't saved enough money, and he said he'd give me the money to try.''

The customer, club member and insurance executive Keith Rawlings, gave her 8,000 pounds and she qualified in late 1998 for the LPGA tour on her first try.

``He just felt like he had been very lucky in his life and he felt he wanted to give someone a start and a helping hand,'' Stupples said. ``We have become close friends.''