Sorenstam returns to usual spot at top

So much for Annika Sorenstam's slump.

One week after failing to make LPGA Tour history with her sixth straight win, Sorenstam is running away from a strong field at the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship in Stockbridge, Ga.

The world's No. 1 player shot a dazzling 8-under 64 during Friday's second round at Eagles Landing Country Club, giving her a six-stroke lead midway through the tournament.

It's the biggest 36-hole lead in a four-round event since Sorenstam's 59 at the 2001 Standard Register Ping in Arizona provided an eight-stroke cushion. She held on for a two-shot win over Se Ri Pak.

So far, there's no indication that anyone can get that close to Sorenstam in this event. Her driver is overwhelming the dried-out course with booming shots off the tee. Her irons are struck with the precision of a radar honing in on its target. Her putts are firm and true.

Sorenstam has yet to make a bogey, leaving everyone else in the field that includes 92 of the top 100 money-winners from 2004 in a battle for second place.

"It's just two days," the super Swede said, as if trying to drum up a little drama for the weekend. "We have two more to go. It can easily swing the other way around."

Not likely. First-round leader Laura Davies faded from contention with a 76, leaving her 11 strokes behind Sorenstam. Karrie Webb, the last player other than Sorenstam to be ranked No. 1 in the world, struggled to a 74 that put her 10 shots behind. Cristie Kerr, who ended Sorenstam's winning streak last week at Kingsmill, also was 10 strokes back after a 73.

Heather Bowie shot 69 and was still six shots off Sorenstam's 131 pace.

"Six shots is a lot to make up on anyone," Bowie said. "When you're that far back, there's not anything you can do about it. She could very well go out there tomorrow and shoot 64 again."

Oh yeah, Sorenstam also extended her streak of making the cut to 48 tournaments in a row on the same day that Tiger Wood's record PGA Tour streak of 142 consecutive cuts came to an end at the Byron Nelson Championship.

Sorenstam shot 30 on the back nine, closing with a 5-footer for eagle at the par-5 18th hole.

Champions Tour

Jim Thorpe, Morris Hatalsky and Vincente Fernandez each shot a 7-under 63 and shared the first-round lead at the Blue Angels Classic in Milton, Fla.

Dick Mast, Bruce Lietzke and Hajime Meshiai were a stroke off the pace at Moors Golf Club in the event named for the Navy's famed precision flying team based at nearby Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Dave Barr, John Harris and Peter Jacobsen were at 5 under, and defending champion Tom Jenkins was among 13 players bunched at 66.

Fifty-four of the 78 players in the field were under par in the opening round..

British Masters

England's Brian Davis shot a 1-under 71 to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the British Masters in Meriden, England.

Thomas Bjorn shot a 68 in the wind for the best round of the competition so far to share second place with Soren Hansen and David Howell. Hansen had a 71 while Howell, one of the first-round leaders, had a 72.

Steve Webster, who won the Italian Open last week, and Michael Campbell were at 1 under, the only other players under par at the end of the second round. Colin Montgomerie shot 75 after dropping four shots in his first five holes.

Wie strives for U.S. Open

Michelle Wie's bid to play in this year's U.S. Open is still alive -- barely.

The 15-year-old Wie shot a 4-over 76 in a U.S. Open local qualifier Friday, failing to secure one of four berths in sectional play. But the high school sophomore still has a chance to play her way to Pinehurst. She finished in a three-way tie for sixth and was declared the second alternate.

A playoff between the three could not take place because Andrew Feldmann and Norman Asao, both of Honolulu, were not at Turtle Bay Resort after Wie finished. USGA official Stephen Perry said because Wie was the only player left, she earned the second alternate spot.