Morgan Pressel takes lead in the LPGA

Even when she was a little kid, going out to the course with her grandfather, Morgan Pressel was not the type to play 36 holes in a day. "I'm a nine-holer," she said. "But I can get it done tomorrow. It is my job. I've done it before."

One long day is nothing for someone who has gone five years and 106 tournaments without a victory. So Pressel, who leads the rain-delayed Wegmans LPGA Championship by two shots after 36 holes, is more excited than daunted about the prospect of two rounds on the final day of a major.

"It was a long time ago," she said, thinking back to the 2008 Kapalua LPGA Classic. "I've been through a lot since then. A lot has happened in golf and life. But that being said, I've done it before."

Pressel, 25, is 6 under par, halfway through the championship, with her 2-under par 70 at Locust Hill Country Club yesterday proving that her 68 in the first round Friday was no one-day fluke.

"She has played so well. She is making everything. When she stands over it, you know it's going to go in," said her friend Brittany Lincicome, who played in her threesome the past two days and also is in contention at 2 under. "I don't see anything that's going to mess her up the next two rounds. We're going to have to shoot under par the next two rounds to keep up with her."

Fatigue and pressure could have their say, what with the compressed tournament schedule caused by a rainout Thursday. Pain could be a factor, too, considering Pressel injured her wrist hitting out of the rough here last year and has struggled ever since. She is taking anti-inflammatory and pain-killing medicine, just to be sure.

"I guess I just feel calm out there, which is a good place to be. I don't feel like I'm pressing too hard, which I have done in the past, especially recently. That's my goal, to be in the moment in every shot," Pressel said.

Late yesterday afternoon had an odd vibe. Inbee Park, the women's world No. 1 who is tied with Chella Choi for second at 4 under, said, "It feels like just one round to go, but we have to play two in a day. I think that's what's going to be tough, mentally and physically."

Michelle Wie, who is at par, revealed her strategy after shooting 68, tying for the best round of the day: "Go to bed really early, have a really big dinner and not do too much."