Sorenstam comes back to crowded field


Associated Press
Friday, November 17

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Shock turned to disgust for Annika Sorenstam at the end of a topsy-turvy round Friday in the Arch LPGA Tour Championship, and not even her position at the top of a crowded leaderboard was much consolation.

Hopeful of taking a two-stroke lead into the weekend, Sorenstam three-putted from about 10 feet on the 18th hole for bogey and slipped back into a tie at the top with Meg Mallon, Dottie Pepper and Leta Lindley

"I shouldn't be so down, but I just threw two shots away and I worked so hard for all of them," said Sorenstam, who also had a three-putt bogey on the 16th during an otherwise solid round of 71.

"It's hard to enjoy this, even though I'm in good shape for the weekend," she said. "It ruined my whole day."

It sure livened up the tournament.

Instead of some breathing room for the weekend, Sorenstam fell back to 139 and allowed several players -- perhaps even Karrie Webb -- back into contention in the LPGA Tour's season-ending event.

"It was one of those wild days where nothing looked good in the air," Pepper said after her round of 71. "We had three switches in weather."

Mallon had an even-par 72, while Lindley had a 71.

What began as a warm and windy afternoon soon gave way to clouds and rain. And just when the leaders settled into soft, still conditions, another blast of wind came through that made the final three holes difficult.

Mallon had a 6-iron for her third shot on the par-5 16th, but nestled it to 4 feet for a birdie that put her at 6-under. She gave it right back by hitting too much club on the 17th, and walked off the Legends course at LPGA International in much better spirits than Sorenstam.

"I'm thankful that I shot even par and didn't lose any ground," Mallon said. "Maybe it's a testament to this golf course."

It was a testament to a crazy day of changing weather and changing leaders -- five players had at least a share of the lead at some point during the second round. When it was over, a dozen were within five shots of the four leaders.

Lorie Kane (73) and Grace Park were at 140, while Laura Davies (71) was another stroke behind. The best round of the day belonged to Juli Inkster, who played to her Hall of Fame standards with a 6-under 66 that left her at 144.

Webb, who needs to win to become the LPGA's first $2 million player, had a 71 and was at 2-over 146, just seven strokes back.

"I just want to finish off with two good rounds," Webb said. "But if it's not windy, I don't have a chance."

The wind returned, and she has a chance.

"She can shoot 12-under on the weekend and not even blink," said Mallon, who finished second to Webb in the U.S. Open. "But maybe I'll shoot 13-under."

Or maybe everyone will be happy with par.

The score of 139 tied for the third-highest 36-hole lead on the LPGA Tour this year, behind such tournaments as the U.S. Women's Open and three others where the wind was howling.

"I didn't hear a whole lot of yelling out there," Pepper said, an indication of how difficult the course played and how closely bunched the leaders were. "You have to beat the golf course and not beat yourself. You have to play good golf to get your name on the board."

That's just what Sorenstam was doing.

She played the first 33 holes without a bogey, then three-putted from 30 feet on the par-5 16th to break that string. After a nice birdie on the difficult 17th, she was poised to take a two-stroke lead after hitting her 7-iron shot 10 feet below the hole.

The first putt went about 2 feet by, and Sorenstam was shocked when her par putt curled around the lip.

There was a time when some of those short putts would spook her. Sorenstam thought she had worked those feelings out of her system, but they returned at a bad time Friday.

"Right when you think you've got it, it hits you," she said. "But that's what makes it fun. It's a constant battle. I like puzzles, and golf to me is a puzzle."

Just about anyone in the 30-player field of top money-winners will sort it out this weekend.

Divots
  • Inkster said she was getting nervous about her Hall of Fame induction Monday at the World Golf Village. When asked what artifact she would donate, she replied, "Maybe my meat loaf recipe."

  • Webb tried the new Titleist Pro VI that has been such a hit on the PGA Tour but found it didn't suit her game and stuck with the old balata. Pepper is using the new Titleist ball, and says it has given her an extra club length in distance.

  • Mallon said she voted in Palm Beach County, and admitted that the ballot was a little confusing. "But I practice beforehand," she said.