Saturday, August 5 2006 15:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lytham St Anne's: American Juli Inkster remained in control at the women's British Open here Friday as teenage prodigy Michelle Wie suffered a two-shot penalty for a bunker blunder.

Inkster carded a level-par 72 to move to six-under for the tournament at the halfway stage, three clear from Italy's Silvia Cavalleri. Canada's Lorie Kane, Australia's Lindsay Wright, Taiwan's Candie Kung and England's Karen Stupples were all tied for third on two under.

But it was another rules error from 16-year-old Wie that dominated discussion in the club-house at the half-way stage.

The youngster touched a lump of moss behind her ball on here backswing in a greenside bunker at the par-four 14th an infringement that cost her a two-shot penalty and contributed to a triple-bogey.

That left Wie four over for the tournament and 10 off the pace, her hopes of a first tournament victory all but extinguished although she did at least make the cut.

Wie who was disqualified on her professional debut for an illegal drop nine months ago said she was unaware of the problem until she walked off the 18th green.

"I knew I hit the moss but thought if you swung through it was OK," said Wie.

"I guess I knew the rule wrong, but that's what happens when you're 16. It's a learning experience," she said.

Inkster, three ahead after an opening 66, added a 72 and finished three ahead of Cavalleri, who was tied for the lead at one stage but took three in a greenside bunker at the 17th and went on to shoot 72 for three under 142.

Inkster, who needs this title to complete a Super Grand Slam of all five career majors and become the oldest winner of a women's major, had a mixed round and had to scramble on several holes to save par.

"I was struggling with the driver and today the par fives were a struggle," she said.

"But I was pleased with the way I hung in there and if I can find my driving again by tomorrow then I'm looking forward to a good weekend," she said.

The biggest name to miss the cut that fell on seven-over-par 149 was Australia's Karrie Webb, who is the leading money winner and became the only three-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year with her victory in last week's Evian Masters in France.

The 31-year-old former world No.1 and seven time major winner had four bogeys, a double and an eight at the par three ninth - four shots in a bunker - for a horror 82 that was her worst score in 43 majors.

She finished on 14-over-par.