USA takes 4-2 lead

Charlotta Sorenstam and Michele Redman led the 12-member LPGA to 4-2 victory today over its Japanese counterpart in the opening round of the Cisco World Ladies Challenge.

"All the girls played great golf," LPGA Tour captain Annika Sorenstam said. "I think our highest score was 68, and if you had told us that yesterday, we would have taken it no problem. There was really some great scoring out there. There were some tough matches, but overall I'm very pleased."

The LPGA is seeking to win the event for the 16th straight year and increase its overall record in the event to 20-2.

Sorenstam and Redman beat Hiromi Kobayashi and Ku Ok-hee 64-71 in a four-ball stroke play match at the 6,396-yard, par-72 Sosei Country Club.

Sophie Gustafson and Annika Sorenstam defeated Aki Nakano and Kaori Higo 65-69, while Rosie Jones and Sherri Steinhauer beat Kasumi Fujii and Orie Fujino 66-71.

"I'm very pleased with the way I played," Annika Sorenstam said. "I didn't start out that well, but I started to get a rhythm later in the day. I hit a lot of greens today, drove the ball well and made some putts."

Cristie Kerr and Becky Iverson gave the LPGA team a fourth point of the day with a 68-70 win over Akiko Fukushima and Junko Yasui.

Japan's victories came from Yuri Fudoh and Tseng Hsiu-feng against Carin Koch and Nancy Scranton by 67-68, and from Midori Yoneyama and Aki Takamura against Lorie Kane and Se Ri Pak by 64-68.

The teams play again Saturday in the same four-ball stroke play matches. In the final round Sunday, an individual stroke play format will be used. One point is awarded per match, and ties receive a half-point each.

Although the 12-player LPGA field is based on the top-12 players on the money list as of September 10, several notables are not making the trip to Asia, including Karie Webb, Hall of Famer Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon.

The Sohsei Country Club is a par-72 layout that measures 6,396 yards. Each member of the winning team receives $40,500, and losing team members pocket $23,250.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page