Sorenstam takes lead in final event

Dec 12, 2008 - 3:02 PM DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Ticker) - Annika Sorenstam is on course to script a fairytale ending.

A 6-under-par 66 propelled Sorenstam into the halfway lead at the Dubai Ladies Masters on Friday.

An eagle at the third and four birdies gave the defending champion from Sweden a one-stroke lead at 8-under 136 in her final competitive event.

In May, Sorenstam announced she was retiring from the sport at the end of the year to start a family and devote more time to business pursuits.

"I'm aware of the attention and I'm aware of the support that I have. It's very nice of course. I embrace it more than anything," Sorenstam said. "But you know, once I'm inside the ropes, I just focus on my game and the shots I need to hit. You know, after 15 years, I just got a little bit of practice from that. So I know where to put my energy and my focus."

Trailing England's Johanna Head by four strokes after a 70 in the first round, Sorenstam picked up the pace Friday with a flawless display on the Majlis Golf Course at Emirates Golf Club.

Playing in the afternoon heat, Sorenstam kick-started the day by hitting her 5-iron approach shot to 10 feet at the par-5 third hole and rolling in the eagle putt. Further birdies on the sixth, seventh and ninth holes gave her an outward total of 5-under 30 to pull even with Head.

Sorenstam birdied the 13th, which at 540 yards is the longest hole on the course, to move to 8-under and a step closer to a fairytale finish at her farewell tournament.

"My goal was to clean up the round that I had yesterday with no bogeys and I was able to do that so I'm very, very happy," Sorenstam said: "I wish I could have done a little better. I know I had a lot of chances and edges really. I hit the pin on the 11th hole, but I hit some good shots and I hit some good putts that just didn't go in."

Australia's Nikki Garrett matched Sorenstam's score of 66 to pull within one shot of the leader and took outright second position at 7-under.

Maria Verchenova's 66 was her best score in two years on the Ladies European Tour and she shared third place on 6-under with Veronica Zorzi (69 and Head (72).

"My iron game was really good, and I hit a lot of greens and I'm happy with my game," said Verchenova, who is the only Russian player on tour. "It's quite tough. You definitely have to have a good short game, it's a good golf course and it suits my game. It's like before the week started, I feel like I was going to do well here."

Germany's Anja Monke, Denmark's Iben Tinning and England's Laura Davies shared sixth place at 5-under 139.