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Golf

Sorenstam takes control

Birdies at Nos.14, 16 and 17 help produce a two-shot lead over Laura Davies.

Associated Press
Published June 11, 2005

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	[Getty Images]
	Natalie Gulbis, left, made a 20-footer at 18 and is three back of playing partner and leader Annika Sorenstam.

HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. - Even after eight majors and 61 victories, Annika Sorenstam still feels that sensation of drawing up the perfect shot and pulling it off to near perfection.

When it happens three times over four holes, it's even better.

The sweetest part was this was Friday afternoon at the LPGA Championship, and those three shots, which led to tap-ins for birdies, allowed her to seize control in the second leg of the Grand Slam.

"It's a great rush," Sorenstam said.

"You picture something. It feels solid. And you look up, and it's tap-ins."

The three birdies late in the second round lifted her to 5-under 67 and a two-shot lead over Laura Davies.

"I'm obviously very happy with where I'm at and the way I'm playing," said Sorenstam, who was at 9-under 135.

"It's very steady - fairways and greens - and I'm putting well."

Davies all but predicted how the day would unfold after her 2-under 70, which put her at 137 and in the lead among the early starters.

"She hasn't had a bogey all week," Davies said of Sorenstam. "She's already at 6 (under par). She's getting on my nerves."

Sorenstam also led after two rounds of the past two LPGA Championships.

Even more frightening is Sorenstam isn't even taking advantage of the par 5s, playing them at1 over in the second round and even for the week.

"I'm a little disappointed about that," said Sorenstam, who has won five of the seven tournaments she has entered this year. "It's something I've got to figure out."

Everything else was no mystery. By the end of another muggy afternoon at Bulle Rock, it was clear who was in control.

Davies was entertaining, nearly driving the 330-yard 16th hole and chipping it from about 30 feet for eagle. Despite three-putting for bogey three times and missing a 5-foot birdie putt at the end, the 41-year-old said she has reason to believe she could win.

"If ever I was going to do well, this is the sort of course," Davies said. "It's built for a long hitter."

Sorenstam did her damage with the shorter clubs.

First came a sand wedge at the 14th that pitched just in front of the cup, giving her a share of the lead. Then came a sand wedge at the 16th that landed next to the hole. She followed that with a 7-iron on the 171-yard 17th that never left the flag.

Sorenstam watched the flight of the ball with no emotion, and when it landed just right of the cup and trickled forward to about 2 feet, she looked down to smooth over her divot and politely waved to the gallery.

Ho-hum.

Davies predicted the outcome Friday, but she wasn't willing to concede the tournament yet.

"At least I can still see her," said Davies, who needs a victory this week to get into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Natalie Gulbis stayed with Sorenstam as long as she could, hitting shots that would have received a lot more applause had she been playing with anyone else. She missed three birdie chances from 6 feet or closer during the final five holes but saved par with a 20-footer on the 18th for a 71.

She was at 6-under 138 and is not ruling out her chances for her first tour victory.

"I'm definitely in a good spot," Gulbis said, noting the biggest difference between her and Sorenstam in the second round was "she made her birdies and I didn't make them."

Marisa Baena (69), Tina Fischer (71), Laura Diaz and Tampa resident Moira Dunn (68) were at 5-under 139 followed by 15-year-old Michelle Wie.

Wie didn't get much out of her round, missing only two greens but plenty of birdie opportunities. She had to settle for a 1-under 71 and was five behind.

Eighteen-year-old Paula Creamer struggled off the tee and shot 73, leaving her another shot behind at 141. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome shot her second 72 to sit at even 144. And Tampa resident Beth Bauer shot 77 for 8-over 152 to miss the cut.

Davies is winless on the tour the past four years, blaming that on poor putting and not giving herself enough chances. But this is no time to panic, not even with Sorenstam two shots in front.

"You can't win it (today), but you can certainly put yourself out of it," Davies said. "It's another day to try for 2, 3 under for the day and ending with a chance."

It could lead to quite a duel with Sorenstam trying to capture the second leg in her quest for a Grand Slam and Davies hopeful of getting into the Hall of Fame.

"There's a lot at stake for a lot of players," Sorenstam said. "You feel the pressure, and you've got to be able to handle that. That's what I think is cool to see. Can you hit the shots when you need to? That's what this is all about."

[Last modified June 11, 2005, 00:26:12]