Sorenstam falls six behind Perrot

Annika Sorenstam was a picture of frustration as she finished with bogeys at the final three holes of a second round 75, falling six shots out of the lead at the halfway stage of U.S. Women's Open at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colorado.

Nicole Perrot, a 21-year-old from Chile who has missed the cut in her two previous U.S. Opens, posted a second successive 70 to lead on two under par 140, two ahead of Michelle Wie, the 15-year-old American amateur, and Mexico's Lorena Ochoa.

Ochoa, who won last week's LPGA tournament in Rochester, had a best of day 68, while Wie continued her dazzling run of form with a 73 for level par 142.

Sorenstam is seeking the third leg of a season's Grand Slam of all four majors, but the Swede's putting let her down as she missed a barrow load of birdie chances.

And then her normally pinpoint accurate long game cost her dear as she drove into the rough and failed to make par at both the 16th and 17th and came up short at the par four 18th.

"It was frustrating, but these days happen and I just want to forget about it," said Sorenstam. "There are still 36 holes left and there are birdies to be made out there so there's plenty time to catch up.

"I don't think there was anything wrong with my course management. I just need to make more putts. I was making good strokes, but it's always difficult in the afternoon when the greens get bumpy."

Perrot, the 2001 U.S. Junior Champion and a two-time winner on the U.S. Futures Tour, is in her first full season on the LPGA Tour and has had two top tens.

"Good things can happen in a U.S. Open," she said. "Now I need to stay focused over the final two rounds and I also want to have fun."

Wie finished second to Sorenstam at the last major, the LPGA Championship, and her second round was masterful as she made some brave par-saving putts. She had no hesitation in suggesting this could be her weekend.

"I definitely feel I'm playing well enough to win," said Wie, who had shared a four-way tie for the first round lead on 69. "If I can play the final two rounds under par then I must have a chance.

"Today I was very patient and very happy with my position. I missed a few birdie chances but I also made some crucial putts. My goal was to play consistent rounds under par and I didn't quite manage it, but I'm going to improve tomorrow."

Another member of the American teen machine, Paula Creamer, had a great 69 to move into a tie for fourth place on 143. The 18-year-old, who has already won as a rookie on the LPGA Tour this season, highlighted her round by holing out with an eight iron from 132-yards for an eagle two at the 414-yard tenth.

Morgan Pressel, the 17-year-old amateur, was Wie's closest challenger for the amateur honours. The Florida youngster fired a 72 for joint seventh place on 144.

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