Sorenstam moves to top of leaderboard

Annika Sorenstam took a three-stroke lead into the final round of the John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic, shooting a 3-under 68 on Saturday on the demanding Cedar Ridge Country Club course.

The Swedish star, the 2002 winner at Tulsa Country Club who is making her first LPGA Tour start since the Women's British Open in late July, had an 8-under 134 total. England's Joanne Morley was second after a 67.

``I didn't touch a golf club for three weeks. I'm surprised,'' said Sorenstam, who won the HP Open in Sweden on Aug. 8 in her last tournament appearance.

Sorenstam, seeking her fifth LPGA Tour win of the season and 53rd of her career, had a strong ball-striking day, hitting 16 greens in regulation and finishing with four birdies and a bogey.

``I really wasn't in trouble, that's the key here, hitting fairways, hitting greens,'' Sorenstam said. ``I've got to continue to do that. Anything can happen on this course.''

Johanna Head (69), Karen Stupples (70) and Shi Hyun Ahn (73) were five strokes back at 3 under, and second-round leader Christina Kim (75) was another shot behind along with Kelli Kuehne (72) and Mikaela Parmlid (140).

Sorenstam, who began the round a stroke behind Kim, quickly moved to the top of the leaderboard.

Kim hit her third shot into the water en route to a double bogey on the par-5 opening hole to drop into a tie with Sorenstam and Morley at 5 under, and Sorenstam moved ahead with a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-3 second hole.

Sorenstam had a three-putt bogey on the par-4 fourth hole to drop into a tie with Morley, but regained the lead with a birdie on the par-4 ninth hole and pulled away with birdies on the par-4 11th and par-5 14th.

The 20-year-old Kim played the first three holes in 4 over.

Only 13 players were under par after two rounds on the tree-lined, 6,551-yard course. In the last professional tournament at Cedar Ridge, Jan Stephenson won the 1983 U.S. Women's Open at 6 over.

``I think it's a great golf course,'' Sorenstam said. ``I can see why we have had a major here. The way they set it up, I like it. It's just really a true test.''

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