Sorenstam takes over midpoint lead

Annika Sorenstam's course this week in the du Maurier Classic is the prudent one: fairways and greens. Putt for birdie, but always be satisfied with par.

So far, so good. In the first two rounds of the LPGA's last major tournament of 2000, Sorenstam shot consecutive 3-under 69s to take a one-stroke lead over Canada's Lorie Kane.

Juli Inkster, Laura Philo and tour rookie Diana D'Alessio were two strokes back, and Meg Mallon, like Inkster a fixture on major leaderboards, was three shots back.

Sorenstam figures she has the formula for success at a major championship, one she used to such good effect when she won the 1995 and 1996 U.S. Women's Opens.

``There are pins that I just don't go for, because if you get slightly bounced or pull it or push it, you're struggling to make par,'' she said. ``Today I didn't make as many birdies as I did yesterday and the day before, but I didn't make any bogeys, either. If you add it up, that's what it's all about.''

Because the greens at the 6,403-yard Royal Ottawa Golf Club course are so small, Sorenstam said just getting on the putting surface guarantees a golfer of a reasonable birdie putt.

``I don't see the benefit of being too aggressive, because if you get slightly bounced or pull it or push it, you're struggling to make par,'' she said. ``That's not my strategy.''

Sorenstam made four birdies, only one bogey, hit 16 greens in regulation and in general stayed out of trouble today. The Swedish star is seeking her sixth LPGA title of 2000.

Sorenstam complained of nerves in the earlier rounds of major championships since 1996, but has looked in command of her game and her confidence in the first two rounds of the du Maurier.

``I never was in trouble, which is fun,'' she said. ``And it kind of makes you comfortable out there.''

Kane is Canada's sentimental favorite at the du Maurier, which is losing its sponsorship by the Imperial Tobacco company after this year due to cigarette advertising limitations in Canada. Its status as an LPGA major is almost certainly lost, and so far no entity has stepped forward to take over as sponsor of the only Canadian stop on tour.

Kane's fans cheered her every swing, and hundreds were already on hand to follow her as she started her early morning tee time. Playing the back nine first on a cloudy, windless day, Kane made birdies at Nos. 13, 16, 18 and 1 and even more fans flocked to her group.

Kane made her only mistake at No. 3 by missing the green on the par 4 when she hit an iron approach shot fat, but she birdied No. 5 by holing out a 25-foot bunker shot and No. 6 with a 6-foot putt. She finished with a 67, the best round of the day.

``I don't think I've ever felt this confident and calm,'' the Prince Edward Island native said. ``I know what I want to do and I'm doing it.''

D'Alessio, the 25-year-old rookie who made only her fifth cut today in 13 lifetime tour events, had a 73 in which she seemed to constantly be in trouble. She led Sorenstam and four others by two strokes after her opening-round 67.

D'Alessio had it to 6 under twice today, the latter time when she rolled in a 15-foot putt for birdie at the par-3 12th.

But she pulled her drive on No. 13 into deep rough for one bogey and had a 3-foot par putt go around the hole and out on the 17th hole to fall back to 4 under.

``Today I was extremely, extremely nervous,'' D'Alessio, a Flanders, N.J., resident, said. ``I didn't sleep well last night. I didn't eat last night. I didn't eat today. ... I'm really tired and emotionally drained.''

Australia's Karrie Webb, chasing a $1 million bonus from Nabisco if she can win her third major tournament of the year, shot a 72 for a 143 total. She made a costly double bogey on the par-3 second hole after hitting into trees off the tee with a 4-iron.

``Well, I haven't shot myself in the foot, but I would like to be a few more under,'' Webb said.

The winner of the other major title this year, Inkster at the LPGA Championship, had a 68 that could have been better. She hit her second shot into the rough on the par-5 18th -- for many players a birdie hole today -- and three putted for bogey.

``That doesn't leave a very good taste in my mouth,'' she said.

But Inkster, who has won three of the last six major women's championships, said she was happy to be near the top again.

``I try to just position myself in these things for Sunday hopefully make a good run for it,'' she said.

Philo, a Scotia, N.Y., native who went to Wake Forest, shot a 69. Only in her second year on the LPGA tour, Philo came close to winning two weeks ago in Youngstown, Ohio, before double bogeying the last hole.

``I saw it (victory) flash before my eyes, and I'm ready to not see it flash anymore, for it to be real,'' Philo said. ``I think it's right there.''

South Korea's Se Ri Pak, one of those tied for second after Thursday's opening round, took 33 putts Friday and shot a 76.

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