Sorenstam moves one shot clear

Defending champion Annika Sorenstam shot a 4-under-par 68 on today to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the New Albany Golf Classic.

Sorenstam's bogey-free round gave the Swedish star six straight rounds in the 60s on the New Albany Country Club course.

``For some reason the course sets up really well for me - the design of the holes, the lanes, just everything,'' Sorenstam said. ``I told my caddie after the round that I wanted to keep going - things are going so well.''

Sorenstam, a five-time winner this year, had a 7-under 137 total. Wendy Ward (70), Dina Ammaccapane (70) and Shani Waugh (68) were a stroke back.

On Friday, Sorenstam's drives hit the fairways and her iron shots nestled close to the pins. She started the day with a 16-foot birdie putt on No. 10, then parred the next dozen holes.

Sorenstam, who won last year's inaugural tournament by three-strokes with a 19-under total, said the course seems as forgiving as last year.

``I don't see any hazards here, I just see a big fairway and I just see a big green and that is what makes it so fun to go out and just swing at the flag,'' she said. ``I even think I could have had a few shots less. That is how comfortable I feel out there.''

After a birdie on the fifth hole, Sorenstam reached the green at the par-5 sixth hole in two shots and two-putted for birdie. She birdied the eighth hole after hitting a sand wedge within 4 feet.

Waugh said the thought of Sorenstam, who is second on the LPGA's career money list, feeling invincible when she plays in New Albany bothers her.

``It's scary for us if she thinks like that,'' she said.

After making birdie on 18 to go to 6 under, Waugh still likes her chances.

``I have had some luck today. I chipped in and holed a putt from the back edge of the green,'' she said. ``So I think so far things have been going my way.''

Ammaccapane, who opened with a 68 on Monday, birdied four of her first eight holes, but fell back on the back nine.

Ward also started out strong with four birdies and was 8 under at the turn, but she bogeyed her last hole after hitting her drive in the rough.

First-round leader Susie Redman also was tied for the lead with Sorenstam at 7 under with one hole left. But she ended up with a double-bogey after taking two attempts to get out of a bunker on the par-4 ninth hole. She shot a 72 to join Donna Andrews, Brandie Burton and Beth Daniel at 5 under.

``I just tried to get too cute with the chip and I left it in the bunker,'' said Redman, who is chasing her first LPGA victory in 15 years on tour.

Australia's Karrie Webb, seeking her seventh win of the year, shot a 70 after opening with a 76.

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