LAS VEGAS - USBC Hall of Famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, has flirted with the lead at the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, a USBC event, all week, and now, after 32 games, she has found her way into the top spot.

Halfway through the fourth day of competition, the 45-year-old right-hander leads the 48 remaining competitors with a 7,112 total. Shannon O'Keefe of Arlington, Texas, is second with 7,053. Malaysia's Shalin Zulkifli is third with 7,052 and is followed by Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, with 6,972 and Amanda Fagan of Patchogue, N.Y., with 6,962.

After three eight-game blocks on the Shark, Chameleon and Cheetah PBA Experience lane conditions this week, the 170-player U.S. Women's Open field was cut to the top 48 players for 16 additional games Friday.

Friday's first block was contested on the Scorpion pattern, and O'Keefe posted a 1,848 total for eight games to catapult from seventh place to second. Dorin-Ballard, who started the day in third place, posted a 1,792 effort Friday morning.

The 48 bowlers will return to the lanes at 5 p.m. EDT for their final eight games using the Viper pattern.

At the conclusion of competition Friday evening, the top 12 players will advance to the five-part ESPN-televised portion of the event. The overall prize fund for this year's event is $150,000 with $25,000 going to the winner.

Any competitor who rolls a 300 game on one of the first four TV shows will receive a $25,000 bonus, while a perfect game in the semifinals or championship match (the fifth show), will earn $100,000. The shows will air on five consecutive Sundays at 2 p.m. EDT beginning Sept. 13. The scheduled is subject to change.

Kim Terrell-Kearney is the defending champion at the U.S. Women's Open and will be looking to claim the coveted title for the third time. She also won the event in 2001. She is currently 18th with 6,754.
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