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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:57 p.m., Friday, October 17, 2008

Lang, Pettersen share lead at Kapalua LPGA

By JAYMES SONG
AP Sports Writer

KAPALUA, Maui — Brittany Lang shot a 1-under 71 today for a share of the second-round lead with Suzann Pettersen in the inaugural Kapalua LPGA Classic.

Lang stayed aggressive despite the breezes that frustrated many players, birdieing Nos. 11 and 13 to match Pettersen (72) at 4-under 140.

The morning groups enjoyed calmer conditions with the tradewinds again picking up in the afternoon. Early rain softened the slick greens at the Bay Course and the overcast conditions provided some relief from the sun.

Annika Sorenstam followed her opening 77 with a 70 to make it to the weekend.

Making one of her last competitive appearances before leaving the tour at the end of the year, Sorenstam needed an eagle to get to 3-over 147 — the cut was at 4 over.

The 72-time LPGA Tour winner hasn't missed a cut since the 2006 Michelob Ultra.

Canadian Alena Sharp (67) and Laura Diaz (71) were at 3 under along with South Koreans Sun Young Yoo (71), Jee Young Lee (70), Ji Young Oh (71) and Il Mi Chung.

"It's tough with the wind," said Sharp, who had the day's best round. "You have to hang in there and hit the ball low and pick good targets off the tee and into the greens."

The 23-year-old Lang has four top-10 finishes this year including a fifth-place tie last week at the Longs Drugs Challenge. She also tied for second at the Sybase Classic, but she has never played in a final group.

Lang couldn't take advantage of the three par 5s on the back nine. She did sink a 25-foot putt for birdie on the par-4 11th and hit a gap wedge to 8 feet for another birdie on the par-4 13th to reach 5 under and open a two-stroke advantage.

But she lost a stroke when she chunked her shot out of the fairway bunker on the par-4 16th. Pettersen then birdied 15 to tie Lang for the lead.

Pettersen was steady but couldn't get much going with a bogey and birdie on each side. The Norwegian star is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory this year after winning five times in 2007, including the LPGA Championship.

She caught a break when her tee shot on No. 14 sailed right and landed inside the cart of Golf Channel announcer Kay Cockerill, which prevented the ball from traveling past the cart path and near some trees. Pettersen was given a drop from the spot and her second shot safely reached the green.

The 37-year-old Sorenstam began the day on No. 10 and dropped to 6 over with a three-putt bogey on No. 11. She shook her head and stared at the cup in disbelief.

She got some momentum when she swirled in a 30-foot bending putt for eagle on the par-5 18th to make the turn at 4 over. She shot her arms in the air as the fans roared.

The Swede added a birdie on No. 7 to reach 3 under.

Sorenstam played alongside top-ranked Lorena Ochoa, who put herself into contention with a 69 that left her three strokes off the lead at 1 under. Ochoa, seeking her eight victory of the season, was sailing through her round with five birdies and one bogey until she hit into the rocks on her 13th hole en route to a double bogey.

Ochoa opened the day by dropping a 25-foot putt for birdie put on the par-5 10th and hit a wedge to 4 feet on No. 14 to get back to even for the tournament. She also tapped in for birdie four holes later after her long eagle attempt lipped out.