VIKKI (65) KEEPS HER LPGA TOUR

HOPES ALIVE IN FINAL

EVENT OF FUTURES SEASON

Vikki Laing, pictured right, shot a six-under-par second round of 65 just when she needed it in the $100,000 Iloveny Championship, the last event on this season's US Futures Tour, over the 6,120yd, par-71 Capital Hills course at Albany, New York.

The 26-year-old US-based Musselburgh exile needs to finish among the tour's top five money-winners to gain an automatic place on next year's lucrative LPGA Tour. Following her first victory as a professional at Gettysburg in the penultimate competition, she is lying eighth in the dollars table.
A first-round 74 looked to have put Laing out of contention but she had different thoughts on a day of oppressive humidity with a temperature high of 85 degrees and a suspension of play because a lightning storm was passing close by.
At three-under-par 139, Laing is only three shots behind joint leaders Kim Welch from Sacramento, California and Ji Min Jeong (South Korea).
“I’m just trying to go as low as I can, but the first round didn’t help,” said Laing. “My swing felt a little off in the first round and I know I have to go low again on Sunday if I’m going to have a shot at getting my [2008 LPGA] card.”
She admitted to feeling the mounting pressure in the final week.
“Yeah, I think you feel it,” she said. “Everybody does. But then again, that’s why I play the game – to feel the things you feel when you really want to win.”

LEADING SCORES
Par 142 (2 x 71). 6,120yd.
Players from US unless stated.
136 Kim Welch 70 66, Ji Min Jeong (Sko) 67 79.
138 Onnarin Sattayabanphot 71 67, Taylor Leon 70 68.
139 Vikki Laing (Sco) 74 65, Dannah Ford 66 73.
MISSED CUT
152 Brenda McLarnon (NIr) 72 80.
155 Polly Willett (Eng) 76 79.