Sat May 17 20:29:19 2008

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Ochoa headed for three-peat at Sybase Classic

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Clifton, NJ (Sports Network) - Two-time defending champion Lorena Ochoa fired a five-under 67 Saturday to take a two-shot lead after two rounds of the Sybase Classic.

Ochoa finished 36 holes at nine-under-par 135. With Friday's play completely washed out by rain, Ochoa needs only 18 more holes to go to win this event for the third straight year.

Sophie Gustafson carded a four-under 68 to move into a share of second place at seven-under-par 137. She was joined there by Teresa Lu (69). Na Yeon Choi and H.J. Choi both shot 68 and are tied for fourth at minus-six.

Annika Sorenstam, one of three first-round leaders, stumbled to a one-over 73 that dropped her into a share of seventh at four-under-par 140.

Sorenstam played in the group behind Ochoa and tripped to a bogey on the 11th. She bounced back with birdies on 13 and 14, but faltered to a three-putt double-bogey at the par-five 18th to turn in minus-four.

The Swede managed a birdie at the fifth and a bogey on the ninth, her last to end at five back.

"I thought it was very windy. It was gusting at times," said Sorenstam. "It was tough to figure out if it was downwind or into the wind because a lot of holes it was cross. I thought I played quite well today, just made a few mistakes."

Ochoa played the back nine first and got her round going by sinking a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-five 11th. She gave that shot right back though as she could not get up and down for birdie on the 12th at Upper Montclair Country Club.

The top-player in the women's game got rolling late on her opening nine. Ochoa dropped in a 12-foot birdie putt on the 16th and followed that with a 20- footer for birdie at 17,

Ochoa made it three straight with a two-putt birdie on the 18th. That birdie gave her a share of the lead at seven-under par alongside Lu.

The Mexican moved out in front with a six-foot birdie effort on the par-three third. Ochoa pushed her lead to two with a two-putt birdie on the par-five fifth.

"I played really good today. I'm really happy," said Ochoa, who will go for her 23rd tour win on Sunday. "It was tough. It wasn't easy with the wind in all different directions, and it was pretty wet.

"I think the key today was hitting really good tee shots and just giving myself a lot of birdie chances."

Lu got into the clubhouse first at minus-seven. After making eagle on the par- five fifth, she tripped to a bogey at the next. Lu birdied the eighth and ninth, both from inside six feet, to get to minus-seven. She parred her final nine holes.

Gustafson ran off eight consecutive pars to open her round. She birdied the ninth, then sank a five-foot eagle putt at 11 to get to six-under.

After a three-putt bogey at 13, Gustafson ran home a 45-foot eagle putt at the last to share second place.

Brittany Lang posted a one-under 71 and is alone in sixth at five-under-par 139. Sorenstam was joined at minus-four by Catriona Matthew and Kristy McPherson.

Song-Hee Kim and Rachel Hetherington were Sorenstam's first-round co-leaders. Kim struggled to a three-over 75 and is tied for 17th at minus-two, while Hetherington was two shots worse at 77. She is among a large group tied for 32nd at even-par 144.

The cut line fell at two-over-par 146 with 72 players moving on to the final round. Among those who missed the cut were Julieta Granada (147), Meg Mallon (148) and Jennifer Rosales (149).