KENT golfer Karen Stupples carded a five under par to tack on to her opening 68 and takes a two shot lead heading into the third round of the ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines GC on Australia's Gold Coast.

The 30-year-old, from Deal, fired six birdies and a bogey and leads Australian Anne-Marie Knight, who carded a six under par 66, and Jennifer Rosales from the Philippines who had a faultless 65.

A swirling wind made life difficult for the afternoon starters, among them Annika Sörenstam and Rachel Teske who are both tied for fourth place on five under par.

The World number one negotiated her way around in two under 70, while Teske squandered shots on the back nine and limped in with a creditable, yet disappointing level par 72.

Six players are a shot further back including Scotland's Mhairi McKay, who is showing fine form as she heads into next week's Australian Women's Open as defending champion.

McKay had a second consecutive 70 and fellow Solheim Cup player and defending champion here Laura Davies, managed a 71.

Davies' long time friend Trish Johnson, from England, took full advantage of the more benign early conditions to post a 68 to tie in 12th spot on four under par with Austria's Natascha Fink and Australians Vicky Uwland and Karrie Webb, a four time winner of the ANZ Ladies Masters title.

But Stupples, who was out in the toughest conditions of the day, knuckled down to the task with consistency and had only one bogey in 36 holes.

The former Curtis Cup player is a serious contender for the title in her first European Tour event outside the Weetabix Women's British Open and Evian Masters.

"I'm very, very pleased with my round," said Stupples. "I held my concentration all day and it feels really good to be leading this event. I've been practising really hard in the two months I've had off and now I feel ready to play.

"I love it here in Australia. It's a bit like a tropical England. The course was very much improved from yesterday morning. The winds were very tricky today and you had to keep your wits about you."

Stupples, who is not yet a member of the Ladies European Tour, has set out her stall to become a member so she can become eligible for The Solheim Cup in 2005. A win here will see her walk away with a three year winner's exemption on top of the $Aus120,000 first prize.

"The Solheim Cup is something I would love to play in and it's a goal of mine that I want to play. I feel I am ready now and it's something I would love to do."

Knight, who will be playing with Stupples in round three, had one of the "finest rounds" her life as she carded three birdies, a solitary bogey and eagle two's at the par fours seventh and 18th.