Sorenstam Has Share of Lead

After a tearful farewell from Nancy Lopez and a shocking departure by Karrie Webb, the U.S. Women’s Open shifted into survival mode Friday.

To no one’s surprise, Annika Sorenstam handled it better than anyone.

Sorenstam was the only player to break par on a hot, blustery afternoon at Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, Kan., shooting a one-under 69 that gave her a share of the lead with Juli Inkster and Laura Diaz.

Sorenstam surged to the top with three birdies on her final six holes. Sorenstam and Inkster each made a bogey on the final hole and finished at 139.

Michele Redman had six birdies in a one-under 69 in the morning and was at 140, along with Shani Waugh of Australia (73).

Webb, trying to win the U.S. Women’s Open for the third time in a row, won’t be around to see the finish.

After opening with a 79, the best she could manage was a 73. She missed the cut for the first time in 56 tournaments and was leaving Prairie Dunes about the time Sorenstam, Inkster and Diaz were teeing off.

Lopez, who was playing in her 25th and final Open, finished with a 79.

“Whether you are winning or whether you are losing, it’s always a thrill to walk up 18 and feel the love that the people have for not just me, but for the LPGA,” Lopez said.

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Veteran John Cook made birdies on three of his last four holes to take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the Western Open at Lemont, Ill.

His six-under 66 tied for the second-best score of the day, and he hasn’t had a bogey since his first hole of the tournament. At 133, he’s 11 under par.

“I do savor these days, because I know I can still be competitive,” said Cook, 44, who tied for second at The Memorial in May. “You get a golf course like this, I’ve got just as good a chance as anyone to win.”

Stuart Appleby and Vijay Singh sat at the top of the leaderboard, waiting for someone to make a move. Jonathan Byrd did, chipping in for an eagle on the par-five 15th in a 68 to tie Appleby and Singh at nine-under 135. Then Cook blew by them.

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Tom Jenkins tied the course record with an eight-under 63 for a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the Canada Senior Open at LaSalle, Ontario.

Jenkins, whose round included an eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys, missed a birdie putt and a chance at a course record, at No. 18 at the Essex Golf and Country Club.

“I’m certainly happy with a 63,” Jenkins said. “I came here and haven’t been feeling well the last two or three days, I didn’t play any practice round until yesterday.”

Jenkins, who won the tournament in 2000, held a two-stroke lead over Canadian Gar Hamilton.