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Karen Weiss’ retirement tour has been pretty abbreviated.

The former part-time Estero resident is playing her first LPGA Tour event of the season this week at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.

But she’s in midseason form. Weiss shot a 69 on Friday and is two shots off the lead heading into the weekend, despite barely picking up a club, and using an LPGA Tour 50th anniversary bag with 38 autographs on it.

“I’m not well-prepared, really,” said Weiss, who sold her residence in West Bay Club in February after six years of splitting time between Southwest Florida and her native Minnesota. “I’ve put a couple of good rounds together.”

Weiss has the unusual bag because the others she has have former sponsors on them. “I figured I shouldn’t carry one of those around,” she said.

Weiss said she hoped to get a few more autographs on her anniversary bag while she was at the Jamie Farr.

Weiss has been spending most of her time going to school at the University of Minnesota, trying to earn a master’s degree in horticulture. She already had degrees in American history and sociology of law and criminology. When school got out in May, Weiss got the itch to try to play.

“I really didn’t know if I was going to play anything,” she said.

“I really hadn’t worked on my golf game. I was enjoying some time off, working on my garden, doing some fishing.”

Bonita Springs’ Catherine Cartwright won’t be around for the weekend. She shot 75-74 to miss the cut. Naples’ Kris Tamulis played seven holes Friday and was on the cut line at 1-over-par.

Weiss, 40, tried to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open, but didn’t make it. Her non-exempt status was just enough to get her in this tournament. Not facing the grind of trying to keep her card or battling nagging injuries that cropped up through frequent play have allowed Weiss to stay at ease so far.

“There are less expectations,” she said. “You’re not as hard on yourself. There’s not the same kind of pressure that you put on yourself.”

Weiss may have to make room on her schedule, though. The first two rounds of this tournament count as the qualifier for the Women’s British Open. The top five who aren’t already qualified make it, and Weiss was in position to do so.

She’ll have to wait another day, though, because 61 players didn’t finish their rounds because of rain Friday afternoon.

“I just wanted to see if I could make the cut and maybe qualify for the British,” said Weiss, who returns to school in September.

-- THREE ATOP LEADERBOARD: Mi Hyun Kim shot a 5-under 66 for a share of the lead in the suspended second round of the LPGA event in Sylvania, Ohio.

Reilley Rankin (68) also finished at 8-under 134 before rain forced the suspension of play. Natalie Gulbis was 8 under through nine holes when play was stopped.

Se Ri Pak, attempting to match Mickey Wright’s tour record of five victories in one event, and Annika Sorenstam were both 4 under through 11 holes.