Sorenstam leads Chick-Fil-A by six strokes
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-14 16:13

When Annika Sorenstam walked into the media tent after another dazzling round, tournament officials gave her a round of applause — a tribute usually reserved for the tournament winner. Then again, the way Sorenstam is playing, it seemed downright appropriate.

One week after failing to make LPGA Tour history with her sixth straight win, Sorenstam took a commanding lead in the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship with an 8-under 64 Friday.

Annika Sorenstam of Sweden watches her tee shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the LPGA's Chick-fil-A Charity Championship in Stockbridge, Ga., Friday, May 13, 2005. Sorenstam shot an 8-under-par 64 and is at 13 under par for the tournament. [AP]

The world's No. 1 player has a six-stroke cushion at the halfway point — the biggest 36-hole lead in a four-round event since Sorenstam's 59 at the 2001 Standard Register Ping in Arizona put her eight strokes in front.

That week, she held on for a two-shot win over Se Ri Pak, but there's little hint of anyone sneaking that close this time.

Sorenstam's driver is overwhelming the dried-out course. Her irons are struck with the precision of a radar honing in on its target. She's seeing every little bump and dip on the greens.

Sorenstam has yet to make a bogey, leaving everyone else in the field that includes 92 of the top 100 money-winners from 2004 in a battle for second place.

"It's just two days," the super Swede said, as if trying to drum up a little drama for the weekend. "We have two more to go. It can easily swing the other way around."

Not likely. First-round leader Laura Davies faded from contention with a 76, leaving her 11 strokes behind Sorenstam. Karrie Webb, the last player other than Sorenstam to be ranked No. 1 in the world, struggled to a 74 that put her 10 shots behind. Cristie Kerr, who ended Sorenstam's record-tying winning streak last week at Kingsmill, also was 10 strokes back after a 73.

Heather Bowie shot 69 and was still six shots off Sorenstam's 131 pace.

"Six shots is a lot to make up on anyone," Bowie said. "When you're that far back, there's not anything you can do about it. She could very well go out there tomorrow and shoot 64 again."

Oh yeah, Sorenstam also extended her streak of making the cut to 48 tournaments in a row on the same day that Tiger Wood's record PGA Tour streak of 142 consecutive cuts came to an end at the Byron Nelson Championship.

Sorenstam shot a 30 on the back nine, closing with a 5-footer for eagle at the par-5 18th hole.

"A great finish to a great day," she said.

Only nine players faced less than a double-figure deficit heading to the weekend. Lorie Kane was at 138, alone in third but seven strokes behind. Lorena Ochoa and Brittany Lincicome were each another stroke back, with five others tied for sixth at 4 under.

All are well positioned to contend for the runner-up prize.

"I haven't had a six-shot lead since I was in college," Bowie said. "It's almost like you're playing your own tournament. It's just you and the course."

Sorenstam's 13-under score was the lowest in tournament history through the first two rounds. Liselotte Neumann (1998) and Juli Inkster (2002) shared the previous mark of 12 under.

Sorenstam birdied both par-5s on the front nine, taking advantage of her prodigious length off the tee, and everything was working after she made the turn.

The 12th provided the most striking example of Sorenstam's complete dominance of the LPGA Tour. She stuck a 9-iron just 3 feet from the hole, then had to stand around for about 10 minutes while playing partners Carin Koch and Silvia Cavalleri — who both missed the green with their approaches — took six shots between them to get down for bogeys.

Finally, Sorenstam stepped up to her ball and tapped in a birdie.

Closing with a flourish on the 18th — a short par 5 at 466 yards — Sorenstam's majestic drive was followed by a 7-iron that coasted to a stop just 5 feet from the flag. Naturally, she rolled in the putt, giving a slight fist pump that was about the only emotion she showed all day.

Even when Sorenstam hit a poor shot — and there weren't many — she quickly recovered. She missed the green on both par-3s on the back side, but managed to get up-and-down each time.

Sorenstam didn't use her putter much, taking only 23 strokes on the greens.

"I thought I played very good today, especially on the back nine," she said. "I did make a few good par saves, but other than that I played very solid. I had a lot of chances, and to finish with an eagle is obviously a nice feeling."

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