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Steinhauer shoots 66 to keep Sorenstam at bay

Ai Miyazato of Japan chips out of a bunker onto the 11th green during the second round of the LPGA State Farm Classic women's golf tournament in Springfield, Illinois, on Friday. PHOTO: AP

Sherri Steinhauer shot a season-best, six under 66 on Friday to increase her lead to two strokes at the halfway point of the LPGA State Farm Classic, three strokes ahead of Annika Sorenstam.

Steinhauer, a four-time US Solheim Cup team member, was at 11-under 133 at Panther Creek Country Club, losing a stroke to Sorenstam, the defending champion who birdied her first four holes on the way to a 65.

"When you have Annika behind you, it's not always easy. She's a great player and obviously had a real hot one today," said Steinhauer, bidding for her first win since last year's Women's British Open.

Sorenstam, defending the last of her 69 career US women's tour titles, said her game is rounding into shape in her seventh tournament since returning from a ruptured disk in her neck.

"I thought I played flawless today. I really did," Sorenstam said. "I had a lot of chances out there. I was never really in trouble and I'm very, very pleased. I drove it well, putted well. Sounds funny when you shoot seven under to say you left a bunch there, but I really feel I did that. But making some great progress."

Christina Kim, who has three top 10 finishes in her last five tournaments, was second at nine under after a 66.

Christina Kim says the leaders will have to keep posting low scores for a shot at the winner's US$195,000 share of the US$1.3 million purse.

"It's a birdie-fest. You have to go low to even have a chance at getting that title," Christina Kim said.

Kim Mi-hyun, the SemGroup Championship winner in May, was four strokes back at seven under along with tour veteran Marcy Hart, whose best career finish is a tie for third in last year's Wegmans LPGA. Kim Mi-hyun shot a 67, and Hart had a 69.

Rachel Hetherington (69), Janice Moodie (69), Becky Morgan (67), Ai Miyazato (70) and Pak Jin-young (67) were five shots back at six under.

Steinhauer, whose seven career titles include two majors, had seven birdies and just one bogey, sinking three putts of 6m or more.

"I'll tell you the difference is I made a lot of putts again today ... That's been the difference and it sure is fun to watch them go in," Steinhauer said.

Sorenstam, who missed just four greens in regulation during the first two rounds, eagled the par-five 16th and had seven birdies to offset two bogeys.

"I felt really I was on fire for a long time today," the 36-year-old Swede said.
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