Sports

Golf

Mexican star leads Safeway

Associated Press
Published March 19, 2005

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SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN, Ariz. - Lorena Ochoa shot 5-under 67 on Friday to open a two-shot lead in the Safeway International. Annika Sorenstam sat three strokes behind, and Michelle Wie is in contention.

Ochoa, 23, the Mexican star and LPGA Tour rookie of the year two seasons ago, made birdie putts from 15-17 feet at 7, 8 and 10. She went to 12 under at 11 with an 8-foot birdie putt. But she bogeyed 14. A birdie at 18 put her at 12-under 132 halfway through the tour's first 72-hole event of the year.

Soo-Yun Kang was second after a 66, and Sorenstam, the defending champion, birdied two of her last three holes to reach 9 under with a 69. Siew-Ai Lim, who shared the first-round lead with Ochoa, was 7 under after a 72.

Wie followed her 73 with a 67 to stand at 4 under. Wie, 15, rallied in the second round to extend her streak of cuts made to 11.

The long-hitting teen, who last missed a cut in August 2003, appeared to be in jeopardy of another early exit when she bogeyed the first hole. But she recovered with an eagle and five birdies.

CHAMPIONS TOUR: Gil Morgan shot 6-under 65 for a one-stroke lead over Tom Jenkins and Wayne Levi after the first round of the Toshiba Senior Classic in Newport Beach, Calif.

After tying for 53rd last week, Morgan made an eagle, four birdies and no bogeys. He eagled the 492-yard, par-5 15th by reaching the green with his second shot - a 5-wood - and holing a 49-footer.

EUROPEAN PGA: Alejandro Quiroz shot his second straight 7-under 65 for a two-stroke lead over Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey and Choi Gwang-soo at the TCL Classic in Sanya, China.

Montgomerie, who shot 65, must finish at least second to move into the top 50 in the world and earn a spot next week in The Players Championship. Casey shot 68 and Choi 67.

[Last modified March 19, 2005, 01:01:18]

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