SYLVANIA, Ohio – Only lightning and rain could slow down Se Ri Pak at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic.

Pak was 8 under for the day through 13 holes before play was suspended because of storms during the third round on Saturday. She went to 14 under for the tournament to take a two-shot lead over Laura Diaz.

“Every single shot, every single putt, I had a lot of confidence,” said Pak, who entered the day four shots off the lead. “Today was perfect.”

She had everything working, making approach shots that left her with easy birdie putts. And when the putts weren’t easy, Pak made the tough ones.

An 18-foot birdie putt on No. 12 capped a streak of four consecutive birdies and put her at 14 under for the tournament.

Pak, winner of three of the last five Farr Classics at Highland Meadows Golf Club, recorded a 61 at the event in 1998 during her rookie season – a mark topped only by Annika Sorenstam’s LPGA record 59 in 2001.

Pak said thoughts of another record did creep into her mind.

“What did Annika shoot? – 59,” she playfully asked. “Why not?”

The third round will be completed early Sunday morning, with players scheduled to go out for the final round beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m.

A thunderstorm pulled everyone off the course just after Pak finished No. 13.

She admitted she was disappointed she couldn’t keep it going.

A day earlier, she wasn’t sure she would be back for the third round.

Thorpe ties record with 60

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. – Jim Thorpe tied a PGA Champions Tour record with a 10-under-par 60 to take the lead after the second round of the Long Island Classic on Saturday.

With 10 birdies, Thorpe matched the record held by Bruce Fleisher, Walter Morgan and Isao Aoki.

Thorpe also broke his personal best of 62, shot on the PGA Tour in the 1985 Greater Milwaukee Open and on the senior tour in the Gold Rush Classic in 2000.

made it hard to play and she thought about withdrawing.

“Here, for me, it’s a little something special,” she said. “I didn’t want to give up.”

Pak began her charge early, making birdies on five of the first nine holes.

Her tee shot on the par-3 sixth hole rolled to within a few feet of the cup. She tapped in for a birdie that put her at 9 under, and delighted the big gallery following her.

The South Korean has become a fan favorite at the tournament where she has won nearly $500,000 since her rookie season in 1998.

Her worst finish at the Farr Classic was seventh a year ago.

Diaz, the leader at 10 under after two days, played well, opening with a birdie on No. 1. She saved par on No. 6 after her tee shot hit a tree hanging over the right side of the fairway.

But she had to know by the roars from the crowd following Pak in the group ahead that her lead was slipping.

Diaz finished the day 2 under through 13 holes.

Hee-Won Han was 4 under through 13 and 11 under for the week, three shots behind Pak.

Jung Yeon Lee was 6 under for the day through 16, and 10 under for the tournament. Nicole Jeray was 9 under for the tournament after going 3 under through 14.

Marisa Baena was another shot back at 8 under for the tournament after shooting 2 under through 13 holes in the third round.

AP-ES-08-16-03 1905EDT