DUBAI, United Arab Emirates » Lydia Hall of Wales shot a 5-under 67 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead over Anna Nordqvist of Sweden in the second round of the Dubai Ladies Masters.

Michelle Wie limped around the back nine of the Emirates Golf Club because of a bad back and finished with a 72, six shots behind the leader.

Hall had a 31 on the front nine, including five birdies, to move to the top at the season-ending tournament.

England’s Laura Davies all but conceded the Order of Merit for the top golfer in Europe to South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace. Davies shot a 73 and is 11 strokes behind the leader. She needs to finish in the top two to overtake Pace, who had a 72.

Wie withdrew from last month’s Lorena Ochoa Invitational because of the injury, but said she expects to be healthy by the start of the season after some rest and rehabilitation.

Wie winced several times after drives off the tee and dipped her knees on the follow through. She said it wouldn’t have "long-lasting effects" and she expects to play a full schedule next season.

Kaneko tied for 35th

Sacred Hearts graduate Ayaka Kaneko slipped to a tie for 35th yesterday after shooting a 78 during the second round of the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The top 20 players in the five-round event will earn full 2011 exemptions.

Former Hilo resident Kimberly Kim also shot a 78 and is tied for 56th at 5-over 149.

Wailuku’s Shayna Miyajima shot 84 and is tied for 109th at 13-over 157.

2 share Australian lead

American Bobby Gates overcame an Australian wildlife experience to shoot an 8-under 64 for a share of the first-round lead in the Australian PGA in Coolum.

Gates, tied with Australian Andrew Buckle, birdied the final two holes.

On the par-3 14th, Gates had to wait while course marshals shooed away a kangaroo near the front of the tee. After the delay, Gates pulled his tee shot into the water and made a bogey. He blamed shifting wind rather than the misplaced marsupial for the errant shot.