Sorenstam moves 3 shots ahead

Annika Sorenstam, the only player in LPGA Tour history to crack 60 in a competitive round, shot a bogey-free 10-under-par 62 on Saturday for a three-stroke lead at the Safeway Classic.

Undeniably the best player on the LPGA Tour, Sorenstam had an eagle and eight birdies en route to the Edgewater Country Club course record. She also threatened the magical number she posted last season.

At last year's Standard Register Ping, Sorenstam carded a 59 in the second round. It was only the fourth sub-60 round on the PGA, Senior or LPGA tours.

Sorenstam didn't have much of a chance to crack 60 on Saturday. She was 7-under following an eagle at the par-5 10th and 9-under after a birdie at the 14th, needing to birdie each of the final four holes for a 59.

"I figured if I birdie the rest, then I start thinking about things," Sorenstam said, recalling her thoughts after the 14th hole. "(Then I thought), `Oh, forget about it. Let's just play.'"

The Swedish star has a 36-hole total of 13-under 131 as she seeks her 39th LPGA title - which would give her sole possession of 10th place all-time - and third win in as many starts. One came in Europe.

"I think I feel as good as my score," the 31-year-old said.

Sorenstam also would be the first player since Nancy Lopez in 1978-79 to win as many as eight titles in consecutive seasons. Ironically, this is Lopez's penultimate event as a full-time member of the tour.

Karen Stupples of England shot a 66 and is alone in second at 10-under 134. Kate Golden's 65 left her third at 135, a stroke better than Rosie Jones and Penny Hammel.

"I'm really excited about how I played today," said Stupples, who is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory.

With the Solheim Cup less than a week away, Sorenstam has the best score of those who will compete at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota. Jones is the top American on the leaderboard.

Sorenstam will lead a European team trying to win for the first time on U.S. soil. The Europeans captured the Cup two years ago at Loch Lomond in Scotland.

A five-time Solheim Cup team member, Sorenstam should feel comfortable heading into next week.

"What do you think?" she said. "I'm obviously playing very well. I feel good about my game. I'd just like to focus on tomorrow first, but I feel great about my game."

After sitting two strokes back following an opening-round 69, Sorenstam heated up early Saturday, birdying five of her first seven holes, highlighted by a 30-foot putt at No. 6.

"Today, it seemed like I always knew what to hit, seldom in between clubs," she said. "I could read the greens, I had a feel for the speed. Every putt I hit today was in the center of the hole. It was just one of those days."

Sorenstam opened eyes when she birdied the 10th and 12th holes. She added another birdie at the 14th and had thoughts of another 59.

"It's the same way as the men do with Tiger Woods, we all feel the same way about Annika," Stupples said. "She's just a phenomenal talent and very driven to succeed. You can't say any more. You can't pay any higher compliment for her, really."

Sorenstam birdied just one of her last four holes, but she is well on the way to another win. She also is heating up for the Solheim Cup.

"I'm going to head home and rest for tomorrow and the next week," she said. "I don't feel like I have to work on too many things."

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