Japan, Nov 08: Annika Sorenstam established a commanding lead after repeating her opening nine-under-par 63 at the Mizuno Classic in Japan. The Swede, on 18-under-par and six ahead of South Koreans Se Ri Pak and Jung Yeon Lee, looks set to record her third straight win in Shiga.
England's Laura Davies, who moved up the leaderboard into a tie for 13th after a flawless 65 for seven-under, described Sorenstam's performance as "quite unbelievable".
Sorenstam, looking for her seventh title of the season, did not have a bogey and made her ninth birdie of the day with a 16 foot putt at the par five 18th.
"Sometimes it is tough to follow a low first round," said the world number one "But I made a great start with four birdies in the first six holes.
"I hit a lot of good irons and made some putts. But I still feel I left a couple of shots out there and tomorrow I'll be firing at the flags and trying to go even lower."
Sorenstam, the only woman to have broken 60 when she shot 59 at the Standard Register Ping Tournament in Phoenix two years ago, said one of her final round targets would be to repeat that achievement.
Pak, the world number two, made headway with a 65, while Lee, playing alongside Sorenstam, shot 67.
Pak said she would have to break 60 in the final round to have any chance of catching Sorenstam.
Bureau Report