Kung wins rain-shortened State Farm Classic
August 31, 2003

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Candie Kung won her second straight title and third of the year Sunday when she was declared the winner of the rain-shortened LPGA State Farm Classic.

Tournament officials hoped to beat the bad weather by having all players tee off before 9 a.m. But just as the final group of Kung, Laura Davies and Hee-Won Han teed off, play was suspended due to heavy rain. After 31/2 hours, officials decided the Rail Golf Course was too wet.

Kung, who won last week's Wachovia Classic and the Takefuji Classic earlier this season, finished at 14-under-par 202 after 54 holes. Davies was one stroke back in second, and Han was third at 12 under. Karen Stupples finished fourth at 10 under.

Davies said she was disappointed by the decision to cancel the final round.

"I felt I had a good chance today," Davies said.

The first group off Sunday made through nine holes before the rain delay, but just 15 of the 74 players were under par in the steady rain. The last two groups did not finish the first hole.

Sunday's cancellation gives Davies another narrow miss at the Rail, where she finished second for the third straight year.

Kung led by as many as five strokes during Saturday's third round, but struggled down the stretch and finished with a 1-under 71.

Davies charged into contention Saturday with a 6-under 66, closing within a stroke. She nearly moved into a tie for the lead, but missed holing a bunker shot at the 18th by 2 inches.

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