Fri May 9 20:42:31 2008

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Sorenstam on top in Williamsburg, Ochoa three back

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Williamsburg, VA (Sports Network) - World No. 2 Annika Sorenstam fired a five- under 66 Friday to take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill.

Sorenstam completed 36 holes at 12-under-par 130, which set a new 36-hole record. Sorenstam's 130 bettered the old record of 131 that Kim Williams set in 2004 and Sarah Lee matched last year.

Lorena Ochoa, the top-ranked player in women's golf, faltered to a bogey at the last to shoot three-under 68. Ochoa dropped into a share of second place at minus-nine, where she stands alongside Jeong Jang, who shot 66 on Friday.

There were two weather delays on Friday, but players managed to finish the round anyway.

Michelle Wie played for the first time since February and showed some rust. She posted five birdies and five bogeys in an even-par round of 71. That left her at four-over-par 146, where she missed the cut by four strokes.

Sorenstam and Ochoa were paired together for the first two rounds. They started on the back nine of the River Course at Kingsmill Resort & Spa on Friday.

Ochoa started one behind her playing partner, but tied her at minus-seven with a birdie on the 10th. Sorenstam moved to eight-under with a birdie on 12.

Both players birdied the par-four 16th. Sorenstam's birdie there gave her a share of the lead with Jang, who had completed her round. Sorenstam collected her third birdie of the round at the 18th to move into the lead at 10-under.

Ochoa got back within one as she birdied the second. Each woman birdied the par-five third for the second day in a row. Ochoa dropped a shot on the fourth to fall two back.

Once again the duo matched birdies on a par-five, this time at the seventh. Sorenstam parred the last two to get in at 12-under.

"It was a long day. When I was looking at the score I could hardly remember what I did on the back-nine, which was my front-nine," admitted Sorenstam, who is bogey-free through two rounds. "Overall, I'm very happy with my round. I'm very pleased that I hung in there. I hit some good shots and rolled in some beautiful putts to save par."

Ochoa bogeyed the par-four ninth to fall three back.

"It was a long day. I'm glad we finished," Ochoa stated. "But we knew it was going to be that way. I played good today. It was a solid day, especially from the tee. I'm right there, so I'm excited."

Despite having the lead, Sorenstam will keep an eye on Ochoa. The two are playing in the same event for the fifth time this year. Ochoa has won each of the previous four.

Jang played the front nine at even-par with two birdies and two bogeys. Around the turn, she made her move. Jang birdied the 11th to move to five-under, then flew up the leaderboard as she birdied the final four holes to get in at minus- nine.

The former British Open champion has been battling a sore wrist that is being caused by four cysts.

"I didn't go to range in like maybe last three months," admitted Jang. "I've just tried to focus on my short game. I'm hitting better than before."

Meena Lee is alone in fourth at seven-under-par 135 after a second-round 68. Jimin Kang, Kristy McPherson, Meredith Duncan, Becky Morgan and Karen Stupples are one stroke back at minus-six.

First-round leader Mhairi McKay struggled to a six-over 77 and tumbled into a share of 33rd at two-under-par 140.

The cut fell at even-par 142 with Meg Mallon, Morgan Pressel, Carin Koch, Ai Miyazato and Wie among those who missed out on the weekend.